North Devon Voluntary Services

& Volunteer Centre

Support

We will:

  • Represent voluntary organisations in North Devon with a co-ordinated and independent voice.
  • Provide training and other support to develop voluntary organisations and the voluntary sector in North Devon.
  • Collect evidence to demonstrate the contribution of the voluntary sector.
  • Assist voluntary groups to become involved in the planning processes of their local community alliances. Membership: Membership is open to individuals, voluntary and community groups.

Membership is free for the first year to all new members. Existing members will benefit from being entitled to free membership for 2006-2007.

Benefits of Membership

  • Training - Advance notice of courses and a reduction in the cost.
  • Events - Such as community lunches which enable individuals and groups to meet, discuss common issues and to hear speakers on topics relevant to the sector.
  • Newsletters - To enable volunteers and groups to keep in touch with the activities of organisations in North Devon, and to access funding news. Groups will be able to use the newsletter to publicise their events, recruit volunteers and to advertise equipment and other needs.
  • Use of facilities at our Centres - Our Centres in Ilfracombe and Barnstaple welcome individual members and organisations during office hours. We have photocopying, laminating and fax machines, access to the internet, laminating and paper binding facilities, and there will always be someone who can assist you with advice about volunteering opportunities and organisational matters.
  • Advice on establishing and developing your organisation: Establishing a new organisation can be a daunting task Constitutions need to be drawn up, Charity registration might need to be established, policies need to be written and money needs to be secured. We are happy to offer advice in all these and other areas and once your organisation is running, we are able to continue to support you.
  • Direct involvement in your Community Planning Process: As a CVS/Volunteering Development Agency we are in the position of representing the Voluntary and Community Sector on a number of the most important Community Organisations in the District, most notably the North Devon Community Alliance. You and your organisation could have a real input in these forums by becoming a member of NDVS.
  • Representation on the NDVS Management Committee: Any individual member or accredited representatives of an organisational member is entitled to stand for election to the Management Committee. Elections are held annually and the Annual General Meeting is held in June. The Management Committee meets six times a year and determines policy and receives reports on the performance of the organisation against targets set by it. 

Our Credentials: As a unified organisation, we are affiliated to and fully accredited by Volunteering England (VE) and are an Associate member of the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA).

 

Other services provided by North Devon Voluntary Services

Ilfracombe Direct Services: Wheel-chair loan scheme,

Children's safety equipment loan scheme, Befriending, dog walking, wheel-chair escorting, Reception volunteering. Ilfracombe and District Community Transport Partnership. This operates from our Ilfracombe Centre and is managed by NDVS. It consists of a Volunteer Driver Scheme plus Ring and Ride and Minibus Hire. Contact Tim Lamerton at 01271 855951 for details and for all your Community Transport needs

Resource Centres in Ilfracombe and Barnstaple

Both our Centres are fully equipped to assist volunteers and voluntary organisations with: photocopying, internet access, and other administrative needs. Our Centres in Ilfracombe and Barnstaple are open as follows: Mon, Tue, Thurs and Fri. 10.00am to 1.00pm and 2.00pm to 4.00pm.