Boosting youth involvement through volunteering in Havering
Connecting volunteers with charities and community groups that need support
The Havering Volunteer Centre (HVC) links people in the London Borough of Havering with local volunteer opportunities. It helps to connect volunteers with charities and community groups that need support.
HVC also assists these organisations by offering resources and training, to help them engage and manage its volunteers. It focuses on getting young people involved in volunteering, promoting social action, and building a sense of community.
With support from the Lower Thames Crossing Community Fund, HVC has made great progress in getting young people involved through volunteering. Since receiving the grant, it has successfully registered 138 new volunteers including 52 young individuals eager to fulfil their Duke of Edinburgh (DoE) Award requirements.
What was funded?
- Volunteer recruitment: covering the cost for registering 138 new volunteers, including 52 younger volunteers.
- Youth Engagement Programs: Initiatives to encourage young people, particularly for the Duke of Edinburgh (DoE) Awards.
- Training for charities: Support for local organisations to better understand and manage younger volunteers, with sessions for volunteer managers.
- Public liability insurance: Assistance to local charities in updating their insurance policies to cover volunteers under 16 years of age.
- 'Warm hub' launch: Funding to create a community space at a local centre, offering hot drinks and snacks to encourage social interaction.
Initially hesitant to take on younger volunteers, advice from HVC convinced local organisations of the benefits.
This led to impressive contributions, such as 14-year-old, Jake, who quickly sent 4,000 emails for a charity—a task that would usually take staff days to complete.
The grant also helped to launch the “warm hub” at a community centre, providing a welcoming space for residents and increasing weekly attendance from six to over 22 participants.
HVC said: “This initiative has been a game-changer for our community. We’ve seen how volunteering benefits both the volunteers and those they help.”
Looking ahead, HVC is excited to increase these programs and is grateful for the support from the Lower Thames Crossing Community Fund, which has played an important role in empowering young people, creating a positive change in Havering.
"This initiative has been a game-changer for our community. We’ve seen how volunteering benefits both the volunteers and those they help."The Havering Volunteer Centre
