Find local and national volunteering opportunities, set up a voluntary group or become a Community Champion. There are lots of ways you can get involved to help people in your own community.
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Volunteer and support your community
What is Volunteering?
Volunteering is choosing to do something for the benefit others, or for your community or the environment without being paid to do so.
Volunteering helps build cohesive, safer and stronger communities. The importance of volunteering and the value of the voluntary and community sector has come to national attention since the initial community response to the pandemic in March 2020.
Volunteering has many wellbeing benefits for individuals and can provide a platform to increase your social network, develop new skills, use your experience and make a difference in the community where you live.
Getting Started as a Volunteer
The North Lincolnshire Alliance Volunteer Hub:
- enables the people of North Lincolnshire to take an active part in volunteering in their communities, through accessible support and information from experienced Volunteering Advisers
- are the central volunteering information and support hub in North Lincolnshire, for individuals, voluntary and community groups and organisations
- work in partnership with a wide range of voluntary and community groups and organisations to develop and grow diverse volunteering opportunities across North Lincolnshire
- support grass roots groups to take voluntary action in their communities and remain sustainable
- provide support, learning and development opportunities to the Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise sector of North Lincolnshire to successfully and safely involve volunteers.
Their Service – What they do and don’t
- they promote voluntary and community organisations’ volunteering opportunities to potential volunteers face to face, at events and online
- it is a free advertising service that enables organisations to reach a wide range of potential volunteers in a simple way
- if someone is interested in your volunteering opportunities, they will signpost them to the volunteering contact within your organisation or notify you of their contact details and ask you to get in touch with them to take things further. (Whichever the potential volunteer prefers).
- they do not “vet” potential volunteers on organisation’s behalf, so you still need to carry out your volunteer recruitment and selection processes
- they can support you to develop a volunteer recruitment process to suit your organisation/group and the activities that volunteers do.
Please email alliancevolunteerhub@hwrcc.org.uk to:
- register your organisation with the Volunteer Hub
- register your volunteering opportunities with the Volunteer Hub
- join their next Volunteer Managers Network Meeting (via Zoom): This is a network meeting for Volunteer Managers to come together to share challenges and insights into volunteer management, and receive peer support, and support from the Alliance Volunteer Hub team in all matters relating to involving volunteers.
They can provide learning and development opportunities in volunteer management and leadership, to act as a voice for those that work with volunteers and share best practice amongst everyone who involves volunteers
They can support communities to deal with emergencies or respond to individual needs by connecting you with our bank volunteers who have registered with the Volunteer Hub to act as responders to such events and circumstances.
If you are a group of people that would like to get involved in volunteering on a project or initiative together, they can put you in touch with organisations and groups who are looking for such support.
They can support young people in our communities to get involved in volunteering by working together with organisations, groups, schools, colleges to develop volunteering opportunities to meet the needs and motivations of younger people.
ESV is about employers encouraging their employees to make a difference in the local community through voluntary action. Some employers include volunteering days as part of their employees’ contracts to enable them to participate in volunteering.
They can support your company to connect with suitable volunteering activities and work with the voluntary and community sector to enable this type of volunteering to happen.
Please email alliancevolunteerhub@hwrcc.org.uk to:
- arrange an informal meeting to speak to one of their Volunteering Advisers to find out more about volunteering in your community – currently provided over the telephone or face-to-face via Zoom
- view a list of current volunteering opportunities registered with the Volunteer Hub
- register as a volunteer with the Volunteer Hub
Community Champions
The Team NL Champions network is designed to empower thousands of residents to remain up to date with the latest information, advice and guidance about Covid-19 direct from public health experts. You will know what is happening and what you and your community can do to help. Sign up today using the link below.
Community groups and charities
The council is working with community groups and charities to create a network of volunteers who can lend a hand in their neighbourhoods.
You can volunteer to help people with things like:
- Collection and delivery of shopping
- Collection and delivery of prescriptions
- Handiwork and gardening (for example posting mail, taking out bins or recycling boxes)
- Dog walking (and/or help with small animals)
If you want to support your community by volunteering in response to Coronavirus (COVID-19), there are lots of ways for you to get involved across North Lincolnshire.
If you are interested in these roles, please register to volunteer with the North Lincolnshire Alliance Volunteer Hub.
Healthwatch Telephone Buddy Service
Healthwatch North Lincolnshire have set up a Telephone Buddy Service aimed at reducing social isolation. The role involves pairing a telephone buddy volunteer with someone who is socially isolated and experiencing little or no social interaction.
If you would like to volunteer, please register your interest with Healthwatch North Lincolnshire.
Youth Offending – volunteer as an appropriate adult
Youth Justice – volunteer as an appropriate adult – join the Youth Justice Partnership as a volunteer and learn new skills or develop those you already have.
Home library service
Home Library Service – the Home Library Service is delivered by volunteers. This service is for people who can’t get to the library themselves through ill health, disability or infirmity.
Voluntary Action North Lincolnshire (VANL)
Voluntary Action North Lincolnshire (VANL) support, promote and develop the voluntary and community sector
Humbercare Volunteer Befriending Service
The Humbercare Volunteer Befriending Service delivers short-term befriending support for people living in North Lincolnshire.
Citizens Advice North Lincolnshire
Citizens Advice North Lincolnshire offers practical, up-to-date information and advice on a wide range of topics, including debt, benefits, housing, legal, discrimination, employment, immigration, consumer and other problems.
The Carers Support Centre
The Carers’ Support Centre provides emotional and practical support for carers in North Lincolnshire, including counselling, training and personal budget management.
The Isle of Axholme and Hatfield Chase Landscape Partnership
The Isle of Axholme and Hatfield Chase Landscape Partnership needs the help of volunteers to help achieve their aims and outcomes. Volunteers will get to the opportunity to learn new heritage skills and attend training sessions and workshops. Volunteers will be able to participate in a variety of activities, some of which include: archaeological investigations, conducting wildlife surveys and assisting with events. For more information about volunteering opportunities, contact landscapepartnership@northlincs.gov.uk.
Crosby Community Association (CCA)
Crosby Community Association provide free, confidential and impartial advice and support for personal or family problems, debt or welfare benefits, pensions, housing and disability rights. You can contact Crosby Community Association on reception@crosbycom.org.uk or call 01724 330022, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
Voluntary litter picks
We work hard to keep the area clean and free of litter. We actively encourage communities to arrange voluntary litter picks. Contact highway.maintenance@northlincs.gov.uk for more information and registration forms.
National Volunteer Responder
The Royal Voluntary Service has partnered with the NHS to provide this community support service. It offers support to people in England who are self-isolating because of specific health conditions or because they’re in a vulnerable group.
You will carry out simple, non-medical tasks. For instance, delivering groceries or medication to your home and wellbeing check-ins and phone calls, among others. Please note: recruitment to this scheme has been temporarily paused.
For updates visit the NHS website.
British Red Cross
You can sign up to become a Community Reserve Volunteer through the British Red Cross. Anyone can become a community reserve volunteer. No specialist skills are required, and quick training is provided at the scene.
You can contact your local town or parish council to offer your support. Find your local town or parish council.
If you are interested in alternative volunteering roles or supporting a specific charity, visit the Do-it website. You can search for a role that fits your interests.
If you have a specific skill-set, visit Reach Volunteering. The organisation can help match your skill-set with a volunteering opportunity.
The Royal Voluntary Service is one of the UK’s largest charities and volunteering organisations. It aims to give older people the opportunity and choice to get more out of life.
Get involved with social media
We are encouraging people to get involved on social media and share their voluntary work with the council and Scunthorpe Telegraph. Take a photograph and use the hashtag #DoOneThingNL to demonstrate how you are volunteering and supporting your local community.
How to help if you can’t volunteer
There are plenty of ways you can support the community, even if you can’t commit to a voluntary role.
Donate food
You can donate food to your local food bank. You can also donate items at collection points in your local supermarket.
Donate to charities
Charities need your support more than ever to ensure they can continue to deliver essential services. Fundraising is particularly difficult for charities right now, as lots of fundraising events have been cancelled and many people who volunteer may be staying at home. Any financial donations you can give to charities are incredibly valuable.
Play Lincs Lotto
There are over 130 local good causes you can support by playing Lincs Lotto. Lincs Lotto works like any other lottery- players buy tickets from just £1 a week and go in a draw to win cash prizes of up to £25,000.
Players can choose to support for their ticket to support a local good cause. The cause they choose to support gets to keep 50p of every £1 ticket sale. It is free for local good causes to sign up at www.lincslotto.co.uk.
Playing Lincs Lotto is an excellent way to safely support your local community and possibly win £25,000.
For more information please visit the Lincs Lotto website.
Share trusted information
It’s easy to become worried by online information, some of which may be deliberately designed to mislead people. Help your community by sharing trusted information from the NHS, Public Health England or the Department of Health and Social Care.
Follow national advice and guidance
Coronavirus remains a serious health risk. You should stay cautious to help protect yourself and others. See the latest advice on Gov.UK
If you are thinking of setting up a voluntary group, the following information may be helpful:
Funding
- Community Grant Funding from North Lincolnshire Council
- Big Lottery Fund – Funding Finder
- Children and Young People Now – Find funding in England
- The LGBT Consortium – Find funding for your LGBT voluntary or community organisation
- Grant Finder – A fee may apply for this service
Finding volunteers
- Do-it – Find volunteers for your organisation or start volunteering
- Find volunteers for your sport or leisure group
- VANL – Voluntary Action North Lincolnshire
Starting a group
- RunAClub – Support to set up and manage your community club
- North Lincolnshire Local Safeguarding Children Board – Voluntary and community organisations working with children and young people
- North Lincolnshire Safeguarding Adults Board – A multi-agency group that has been set up to monitor and steer Safeguarding Adults in North Lincolnshire
- Community Matters – Information, advice and model documents for starting and developing a community or voluntary organisation.
Commissioning and tendering advice
- Buy4NorthernLincolnshire – Northern Lincolnshire procurement
- KnowHow NonProfit – All about commissioning and procurement
Advice for new communities
- The British Way Of Life – a programme to help all asylum seekers, refugees and migrants get used to British life as quickly as possible.
- Clarity English- Road to IELTS – an online preparation and practice resource for IELTS, which stands for ‘International English Language Testing System’. If your first language is not English, taking an IELTS qualification will help you gain further qualifications and employment in many countries, including the United Kingdom.
To access these free resources, you will need membership of North Lincolnshire Library Service. You will just need to visit your local library in order to register as a member. This is also free of charge.
Policies and procedures
- North Lincolnshire Council policies and procedures – policies and procedures for information.
Your local community centre is available for private functions and bookings. The majority of centres have a hall (usually with a stage and meeting rooms). Contact your local community centre for further details on facilities and room charges.
We can provide advice and guidance to community organisations and management committees of community buildings. Contact us on 01724 297000.
Ashby Community Association
Everest Road
Ashby
DN16 2ND
Brumby Community Association
East Common Lane
Scunthorpe
DN16 1HL
Central Community Association
Lindum Street
Scunthorpe
DN15 6QU
Frodingham Community Association
Rowland Road
Scunthorpe
DN16 1TE
Grange Farm Community Centre
Wesley Road
Scunthorpe
DN16 1SA
Lincoln Gardens Community Centre
Stow Road
Scunthorpe
DN16 2DY
Lodge Moors Community Association
Moors Road
Scunthorpe
DN15 7EL
Park Community Centre
Avenue Vivian
Scunthorpe
DN15 8LG
Priory Lane Community Centre
Priory Lane
Scunthorpe
DN17 1HE
Riddings Community Association
Willoughby Road
Scunthorpe
DN17 2NN
Sunshine Hall
Ashby High Street
Scunthorpe
DN16 2ND
Westcliff Community Association
Newbolt Avenue
Scunthorpe
DN17 1PE
The charter sets out the relationship between public sector organisations and the voluntary and community sector in North Lincolnshire. It explains how they will work together by sharing information and resources.
Representatives from the following organisations have signed the charter:
- North Lincolnshire Council
- Humberside Fire and Rescue
- Humberside Police
- Ongo
- Voluntary Action North Lincolnshire
- The North Lincolnshire Voluntary and Community Sector Alliance
- Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust
- North Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group
- Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust
- DN Colleges Group
- Healthwatch North Lincs
If you would like to see a copy of the charter, please contact us on 01724 297000