volunteers

Another part of the FORCE Cancer Charity shop in Exeter is all set for a spooktacular opening on Halloween.

The popular Heavitree hub for bargain hunters closed in August for essential repairs and refurbishment.

One section re-opened on October 2 and another area will be back in business on Saturday October 31 with staff in fancy dress, hundreds of clothing items on sale for £1 and a bake sale.

“There’ll be plenty of treats and no tricks,” said shop manager Anna Heard. “We’re looking forward to gradually opening the remainder of the shop in the first week of...

Cats Protection’s nine branches in Devon are desperately looking for new volunteers to help continue its work with unwanted and abandoned cats. According to restedpaws.co.uk , there are 17 million cats and dogs in the UK. The branches, part of the UK’s leading cat charity which helps over 205,000 cats every year, need people to give just a few hours a month to help carry out their work in Devon. Volunteer roles range from hands-on work fostering cats and carrying out home visits, to administrative roles and team leaders. As well as the satisfaction of helping unwanted and abandoned cats...

Our Exeter hospice has been named Searle House in recognition of the dedicated local family which helped establish our vital service.

Liz and John Searle were the driving force behind the group which 33 years ago established us as a local charity. Starting with just two community nurses Hospiscare quickly expanded and we opened the hospice on the RD&E Wonford site in 1992.

Today Hospiscare has 160 staff, 1,000 volunteers, three day centres and a 12 bed hospice; these services cost us £6m a year to run, with £1.25m funded by the NHS and the rest by fundraising events,...

Can you help Hospiscare support their patients by giving some of your time?

Hospiscare needs more car drivers, complementary therapists and bereavement supporters to help patients attending the Exeter hospice and day centre.

“The nature of volunteering means that people come and go and currently we need to fill some gaps, “said Hospiscare’s Vicky Lachenicht who manages more than 1,000 volunteers for the local charity that supports patients and their families living with a terminal illness.

“Please contact us for a chat – you would be joining a team of dedicated...

Axe Vale and District Conservation Society are holding a volunteer open day at Seaton Wetlands (between Colyford and Seaton) on Tuesday 18 August to discover all about the work of the organisation.

In partnership with East Devon District Council’s Countryside Team, they are hosting an open day to help you discover the wildlife of the valley and introduce the Axe Vale organisation and the many volunteering opportunities available.

During the day you will be able to watch wading birds from the hides, identify moths, enjoy insect and wild flower walks, along with pond dipping...

If you have ever considered volunteering as a Samaritan, then clear your diary for the evening of Thursday, September 3.

That is the date of the next Open Evening being held by the Exeter Mid and East Devon branch of the charity, which relies entirely on volunteers to provide its telephone, email, SMS, letter and face-to-face listening service for those in distress.

The local branch currently has over 110 volunteers who help operate the service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but there is always a need for more.

“Samaritans wouldn’t exist without volunteers. As...

Two of Devon’s top volunteer groups have received the Royal seal of approval last week as they were honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Volunteers for Acorn and Squirrels Riding for the Disabled in Exeter and St Luke’s Hospice in Plymouth were among 187 groups in the UK to receive the prestigious award, the highest honour given to volunteer groups, equivalent in status to the MBE.

The two were nominated by members of the public who have seen the difference that volunteers have made to the lives of others or witnessed the benefits of a group’s work in...

The commitment and dedication of volunteers at the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust has been recognised at a special afternoon tea hosted by Chairman James Brent and the Board.

The event was organised as a thank you to all those who regularly give their time to support staff and visitors to the hospital. There are currently over 300 volunteers who give approximately 1,750 hours a month volunteering at the RD&E Hospital and with partner organisations such as ELF, Force and Hospital Radio Exeter.

They play a huge part in helping to improve the experience of...

To celebrate National Volunteering week, the team at A la Ronde, the quirky sixteen-sided house near Exmouth, presented three of its 200 volunteers with long service awards.

Peter Mitchell has been filling the house with music by volunteering to play piano on a regular basis, Maureen Cook has spent five years welcoming visitors and explaining about the house as a Room Guide. And Jenny George received a special certificate from the National Trust Director-General Helen Ghosh for 20 years of volunteering at A la Ronde.

Emma Kay, Volunteer Manager at A la Ronde, said: “We have...

The Bluebird Care Grant scheme has been created to provide local community and volunteer groups much needed funds so they can continue to perform the fantastic work they do.

William and Sara Flint, Directors of Bluebird Care – Exeter and East Devon, are passionate about making a positive difference to people’s lives, be that of their customers, staff or by supporting local community projects.

The £500 Grant will be awarded quarterly and more information can be found here .