CSV Latest News

Tales of the City wanted for oral history project

Fri, 17 May 2013 13:35:27 +0000

Current and former residents and workers of London’s Square Mile and its surrounding areas are being urged to come forward to share their stories and memories of the City for a community history project.

The project is coordinated by CSV, the UK’s leading volunteering charity, and will be run from the new Artizan Street Library complex. The aim of the project is to promote understanding of local history by sharing stories and experiences of the local area.

Volunteering is the antidote to declining physical and mental health in retirement

Thu, 16 May 2013 13:41:12 +0000

CSV’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP) is proof that retirement need not signal the start of a decline in physical and mental health as claimed in research published today by the Institute of Economic Affairs and the Age Endeavour Fellowship.

RSVP volunteer organiser Betty Bryden says: “Playing an active role in the community through volunteering can be life changing. Being active and engaged opens up a whole new world of opportunities, giving people a new lease of life and a reason to look forward to new possibilities.”

CSV to help small charities fill their expertise gap with skilled volunteers

Wed, 15 May 2013 14:54:08 +0000

Skilled volunteers are being offered free of charge to small charities with the aim of helping them measure their impact – thanks to CSV, the UK’s leading volunteering charity.

As research published by the Foundation for Social Improvement recently suggested many small charities are struggling because of a skills deficit, CSV has launched the ‘Measuring the Good’ initiative to provide highly-skilled volunteers to assist charities in identifying and developing ways to measure their impact and outcomes.

Young artists to be celebrated by V&A through CSV poster competition

Wed, 15 May 2013 14:25:05 +0000

Talented artists aged between 16 and 25 are being encouraged by CSV to get creative and design a dazzling poster to celebrate the potential of young people – with the winner to be chosen by the V&A museum’s print curator.

Our response to Independent piece on Volunteering spirit

Fri, 03 May 2013 15:38:32 +0000

Odd job volunteers wanted in Forth Valley

Fri, 03 May 2013 14:58:34 +0000

People in Stirling who are ‘good with their hands’ are being urged to volunteer to do odd jobs around the homes of people in need.

The ‘Handy Person Service’ is run by CSV in Forth Valley as part of its Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP). The volunteers do small and minor jobs for the elderly, people with disabilities and those with limited mobility.

Volunteer with CSV to get a head start on the job ladder

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:38:57 +0000

Celebrate Britain's architectural heritage by volunteering this summer

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:22:06 +0000

CSV is once again urging young people to volunteer this summer by joining a Heritage Camp to help preserve or restore a famous cathedral, church or historic building.

The CSV Heritage Camps take place every year during July and August at various locations across the UK and gives young people the chance to play a vital part in protecting the country’s architectural heritage. Each camp is led by two experienced volunteer team leaders, who are also part of the team.

'Urban forager' project launches CSV Action Earth 2013

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:34:52 +0000

An edible hedge and mini orchard will be planted to celebrate the launch of the CSV flagship environmental campaign Action Earth at Burdiehouse Burn Valley Park Local Nature Reserve in Edinburgh at 2pm on Monday 29th April 2013.

Hundreds of CSV Action Earth grants from £50 to £500 are now available to voluntary groups and individuals across Scotland thanks to funding from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). The grants will fund hands-on initiatives designed to support volunteering in outdoor spaces.

CSV takes strategic role in improving health and wellbeing

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 13:29:21 +0000

CSV is one of 21 organisations chosen by the Department of Health this year to be part of the Health and Care Voluntary Sector Strategic Partner Programme 2013/14.

CSV will use its considerable expertise enabling and managing volunteering and social action in health and social care contexts to support the programme’s priorities and objectives.

The programme provides a way for policy makers to reach thousands of voluntary and community sector organisations and local communities through the depth and reach of all the partners’ networks.

Green grants up for grabs

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:11:29 +0000

CSV’s Action Earth campaign is giving away grants worth up to £500 to get people in Scotland more involved in their local outdoor spaces.

Grants of £250 are available to support voluntary groups and individuals to kick start environmental projects that will boost Scotland’s natural habitats. Local Nature Reserves can apply for enhanced grants of £500 to attract new volunteers through practical and educational activities.

CSV research sheds new light on changing relationships in employee volunteering programmes

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 15:18:10 +0000

Innovative research carried out by volunteering charity CSV has shed new light on the relationships between employers, employees and community groups engaged in employee volunteering programmes.

The research, entitled ‘Employee Volunteering – Who’s Benefiting Now?’ highlights some of the issues stakeholders need to address in order to maximise the impact they can make.

CSV’s LifeLines older men’s cooking group appears on BBC One ‘The One Show’

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 10:24:26 +0000

Older men from CSV’s LifeLines project in Brighton will be showing off their recently-learned cooking skills on BBC One’s The One Show today, Friday 5 April at 7pm.

The 'cook, share and eat' group brings together older men who haven’t had much experience in the kitchen to learn how to eat healthily and cook themselves nutritious meals at home.

Group member Roger Small, 74, said: “I enjoy the company and I look forward to going. It’s as much about being part of the group as the cooking itself.”

Charities team up to benefit unemployed, elderly and excluded young people

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 15:16:12 +0000

Elderly people in Hartcliffe, south Bristol, are benefiting from the donation of a van to CSV’s environmental project which provides a landscaping and gardening service so they can carry on enjoying their gardens when maintenance gets beyond them.

CSV has been working with the Job Centre to provide work placements for the long-term unemployed so that they have the opportunity to gain a certificate in work-based horticulture and improve their chances of finding work.

Charities champion greater people power in local health and social care in support of NHS Change Day

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 14:46:57 +0000

To mark NHS Change Day on 13 March, a partnership of four leading national charities Healthwatch-Communities Involved is calling on people and communities to make their mark by getting involved and adding their voice to how health and social care services are run in their area.

CSV celebrates the achievements of volunteers supporting families

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 14:44:02 +0000

Today, CSV thanked volunteers in Bristol for their role and valuable contribution in supporting troubled families.

The celebration event by CSV Parent Mentoring saw a host of volunteers, families and professionals from Bristol City Council speak about their experiences.

A single parent with one teenage child said “I was a bit of mess before my volunteer came to help me. I struggled to organise my bills and didn’t have a way of knowing what I paid or owed.

Mentors needed in Leeds to support offenders

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 14:40:37 +0000

Volunteers living in Leeds are needed to mentor offenders being released from prison to help them with employment, housing and education.

CSV, UK volunteering and learning charity, is recruiting volunteers to offer 1-2-1 mentor support to people who are about to be released from prison or serving a sentence in the community. Mentors will support them to find employment, accommodation, enrol in community courses as well as offering guidance and a listening ear.

CSV Volunteering helps young people with learning disabilities make the transition

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 12:25:27 +0000

An independent report by the Norah Fry Research Centre University of Bristol has concluded that CSV’s Respect Us programme provides positive outcomes for young people with learning disabilities in making the transition from school to adulthood.

The CSV Respect Us programme was run in mainstream schools, special schools and colleges across five London boroughs: Barking and Dagenham, Bromley, Hackney, Islington and Lewisham between 2010 and 2012.

Diane Abbot MP thanks Hackney teens for volunteering efforts

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 14:33:03 +0000

Diane Abbot MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington joined young people, local youth services and the council at the new Young Hackney Concorde Youth Centre (Thursday 1st November).

They came together to celebrate the volunteering achievements of young people living in Hackney, and to thank them for the benefits they have brought the local area.

New Volunteer Opportunities for Kent

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 15:56:35 +0000

Enthusiastic people living across Kent are needed to volunteer to talk and read to older and vulnerable people living in local care homes, hospices and sheltered housing.

Charities join forces in push for greater people power in local health and care services

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 11:38:39 +0000

Four leading national charities have joined forces today to encourage more people and communities to get involved and have a say on how health and social care services are run in their area.

Charity launches booklet highlighting success of volunteer retirees

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 12:06:51 +0000

An inspirational booklet that highlights the achievements of older people volunteering in retirement has been published by UK volunteering charity CSV to encourage more newly and upcoming retirees to think about volunteering.

Lucy de Groot: "Older volunteers offer solutions to society, not problems."

Fri, 14 Dec 2012 16:27:20 +0000

Responding to the Archbishop of Canterbury’s final speech in the House of Lords on the army of older people contributing to society (14 December 2012), CSV Chief Executive Lucy de Groot said,

CSV Make a Difference Day hits one million volunteers

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 09:39:09 +0000

CSV Make a Difference Day, the UK’s biggest single day of volunteering, saw over 70,000 people take part with their friends, family, neighbours and colleagues to benefit their local area on Saturday 27th October 2012.

Since 1996 one million people have given their time to help others through CSV on through this annual event.

Pete Waterman thanks CSV Make a Difference Day volunteers

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 17:03:18 +0000

This year’s Make a Difference Day saw over 70,000 passionate and professional volunteers share their skills to support their local communities.

CSV Chair Sir Jon Shortridge, KCB, supports Trustees Week 2012

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 10:50:13 +0000

UK volunteering charity CSV is encouraging the nation to become trustees of local charities.

The UK’s volunteer army joins forces with communities to make a difference

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 09:45:28 +0000

Thousands of volunteers throughout the UK will be taking mass action in their communities to improve their environment, share career skills and support small charities, clubs and groups to help them survive the recession.

It comes in the build up to CSV Make a Difference Day, the nation's biggest single day of volunteering on Saturday 27th October 2012, with events taking place a week either side. Last year more than 70,000 people took part.

New funding for isolated, older adults in Coventry

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 09:24:18 +0000

CSV Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP) award winning project has received a £288,000 boost from the Big Lottery Fund for three years to support older and isolated adults in Coventry to improve their mental and physical wellbeing by enabling them to devise, set up and take part in activities as volunteers and organisers and lead independent lives.

CSV RSVP in Coventry has been working for 12 years and this funding will provide training, peer support, guidance and a new website.

Councillor Mark Reed pledges to take action in Pilgrims Hatch

Fri, 28 Sep 2012 11:45:33 +0000

Councillor for Hutton South, Brentwood Mark Reed will be launching a new CSV project in Pilgrims Hatch on Friday 28th September at Bishop’s Hall, which sees residents pledging to give their time and skills to promote acts of kindness within the community.

City of London Small Grants Scheme

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 14:26:11 +0000

Small grants are available for community projects and voluntary organisations within the City of London “square mile”. Anyone who would like to set up a new community project or wishes to develop an existing one could be eligible to receive funding from the new scheme which has been set up by the City of London Corporation in partnership with CSV in the City.