Over the past year, there have been 1,196 volunteer hours spent out in our communities by LiveWest staff. Some 119 staff took advantage of 157 volunteering days.
LiveWest runs a successful staff volunteer programme giving its staff the opportunity to take up to four days off a year to help out in any way they like within their community.
Within LiveWest’s Housing Support services there are 31 volunteers delivering 96 hours of volunteering per week. Their activities fall across mental health, young and older people’s supported housing and include things such as befriending, organising and running activities, gardening and cooking.
Here are some case study examples of our volunteer work in action from both LiveWest staff and customers.
Staff from LiveWest walk for Grenfell
Twelve colleagues from LiveWest’s Tenancy and Estate Services teams will be walking from College Green in Bristol to Grenfell Tower over four days this month, arriving at the tower on the 14 June 2019, which is the two-year anniversary of the tragedy.
They are using their staff volunteering days to carry out this challenge and raising money for the Grenfell Foundation and Help Bristol’s Homeless. Here is the link to their sponsorship page www.gofundme.com/steps-for-equality
Volunteer English Lessons in Taunton
LiveWest is running English lessons which take place in their community space at Waterside House, Taunton. These are run by volunteer Rosemary and are for people who have English as a second language. All the content for the lessons has been suggested by the attendees so the lessons are relevant for them. Topics have included going on holiday, royal family, health and British customs.
LiveWest volunteer, Rosemary has had experience with teaching groups and on a one-to-one basis, specifically teaching English as a second language. We have a group which consists of both LiveWest and wider community residents.
The lessons are run during term time and are promoted through a variety of methods including the LiveWest facebook page.
These lessons have been running for a number of years with great success and Rosemary has been volunteering since October 2018. The lessons are free to attend as we are using our own community space and thanks to Rosemary Volunteering.
Pioneers Project in Plymouth
Two LiveWest customers Nathan and Brendan have been volunteering at the community allotment in Barne Barton which LiveWest own the lease for as part of the Pioneers Project.
The Pioneers Project runs at Foxfield Close where Plymouth young people who volunteer on the estate as part of the community ambassador’s programme.