AYLESBURY COMMUNITY PRIDE CIC – SETTING UP A CIC TO CELEBRATE DIVERSITY

How Community Impact Bucks helped a group of individuals set up a CIC to celebrate diversity and drive social change.

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Evie – Buddy Lead and Workshop Volunteer

Evie has been recently matched as a Buddy Lead volunteer with Macmillan Cancer Support, and as a Schools Service volunteer with the NSPCC. She is excited to be stepping into the next chapter of her life through volunteering.

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Transforming Worminghall Village Hall into an accessible and eco-friendly hub

Worminghall Village Hall, a historic Victorian building which has served as the community hub for over a century, needed to undertake a transformative journey to improve accessibility and adopt eco-friendly renovations.

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Stewkley Village Hall’s steps to improve its energy efficiency and be more environmentally sustainable

Combining the need to replace its roof, Stewkley Village Hall looked at other measures to become environmentally sustainable.

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Haddenham Community Vehicle

Haddenham Community Vehicle is a volunteer-led organisation that provides local transport for those with mobility issues, helping to alleviate problems of social isolation. The team approached Community Impact Bucks to get advice in the early stages of development.

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COLIN – VOLUNTEER DRIVER AND TRUSTEE

Colin volunteers as a hospital car driver as well as a trustee for Community Care North Bucks - two roles which he says have helped him to build communication skills and empathy.

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Malcolm – volunteer for The WheelPower National Junior Games

Malcolm was a volunteer for the annual residential sports event where young people have an opportunity to try a variety of wheelchair sports.

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MARIAN – VOLUNTEER STUDENT COUNSELLOR & BUCKINGHAMSHIRE MIND COUNSELLOR

Marian, who was volunteering and studying as a psychotherapist and now works for Buckinghamshire Mind, reflects on the vital skills, experience and support volunteering has given her.

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DSCVR CREATIVE CIC – SETTING UP A CIC TO TRANSFORM COMMUNITIES

How Community Impact Bucks helped a group of individuals set up a CIC to use art to transform local communities.

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Volunteer Transport Coordinator and Driver – Fiona Beattie

Starting as a volunteer driver for the Aylesbury Community Transport Scheme in early 2020, Fiona resumed her driving duties when Covid restrictions eased in mid-2021 and took on the coordinator role 6 months later. 

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WORKPLACE AWARENESS OF SUICIDE PREVENTION (WASP) – SAVING LIVES TOGETHER THROUGH AWARENESS

How Community Impact Bucks helped a group of professionals set up a Community Interest Company (CIC) to improve awareness of workplace suicides and encourage legislative change.

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GREAT AND LITTLE KIMBLE CUM MARSH PARISH COUNCIL – UTILISING THE COMMUNITY BUILDINGS SERVICE TO ENSURE GOOD GOVERNANCE

Great and Little Kimble cum Marsh Parish Council provides the Kimble Stewart Hall facility. In 2022 the Council sought advice from the Buckinghamshire Community Buildings Service to help clarify areas of responsibility with the Hall’s management committee.

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CLIMATE ACTION WENDOVER – UTILISING THE HEALTHCHECK TOOL TO ENSURE GOOD GOVERNANCE

How Climate Action Wendover, a community organisation focused on reducing the carbon footprint of the local area, accessed free support to set up solid governance for the future.

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Volunteer Pub Lunch Coordinator – Linden

Linden is a Volunteer Pub Lunch Coordinator for the Lane End Pub Lunch Club. She has been in the post for five years, having been passed the baton by the previous coordinator in 2018.

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Jubilee Hall, Bierton – a warm, welcoming and inclusive space

How Bierton Parish Council created a warm, welcoming and inclusive space to help residents with rise in cost-of-living

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Volunteer Community Interpreters

One way our volunteers are helping Ukrainians in Buckinghamshire is as Volunteer Community Interpreters.

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Greener Padbury Group – Making Space for Nature in our Village

The charity raises awareness of environmental issues and encourages action to promote sustainability, enhance biodiversity and minimise environmental impact.

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JULIA – GENERAL PRACTICE SUPPORT VOLUNTEER

Julia volunteers at her local GP Surgery, providing administrative support. She says this means she builds her knowledge and experience and has fun while being helpful and making a difference.

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SUE – GENERAL PRACTICE SUPPORT VOLUNTEER

Sue volunteers at her local GP Surgery and has been putting her skills to good use deciphering handwritten patient notes and putting them on patients’ computerised records.

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The Rape and Sexual Advice Support Service (South Buckinghamshire)

The charity provide free, confidential support and information service to female survivors of rape, sexual assault, domestic abuse, honour-based violence and FGM.

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PAUL – VOLUNTEER INDEPENDENT CUSTODY VISITOR

Paul is a volunteer Independent Custody Visitor at Aylesbury Police Station. He feels that this is an important role and says that he gets far more out of volunteering than he feels he puts in.

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Aylesbury garden clearance with Network Rail

In November 2021, our Handy Helpers team with the support of a volunteer from Network Rail, cleared the back garden of a vulnerable Aylesbury resident. Watch our video below for the full story.

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Ashley Green Children’s Adventure Playground, Terrace and Coffee Shop

Ashley Green lacked a outdoor community hub that could cater for all its residents and was in need of a facility to allow the community to meet and overcome social isolation.

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MADELEINE – KITCHEN VOLUNTEER FOR OASIS PARTNERSHIP

Madeleine volunteers in the training kitchen at the Bagnall Project in Chesham, run by the Oasis Partnership. She really enjoys running baking sessions there, saying “it is a joy to go in”.

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Team Volunteering at the Community Growing Project – Micklefield, High Wycombe

Grow It, Cook It, Eat It is a community growing initiative where local residents are encouraged to visit their local growing site and learn how to grow, maintain and harvest the crops.

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SAM – FAMILY MENTOR FOR CONNECTION SUPPORT

Volunteering with Connection Support as a Boost Family Mentor, Sam says her whole experience has been positive and she’s delighted to be supporting a family to get to a much happier position.

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KATY – VOLUNTEER WITH HIGH WYCOMBE SHOPMOBILITY

Katy is a volunteer with High Wycombe Shopmobility and is really enjoying her role there.

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CAROLINE – VOLUNTEER MENTOR FOR A YOUNG PERSON

Caroline was a volunteer mentor with Transitions UK on its Attain project which supports vulnerable young people aged 17-22 who are leaving care and need help into work, education and accommodation.

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BucksVision

BucksVision is a local charity that provides support and services to blind and partially sighted people in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes

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Amersham Band

Amersham Band is a brass band committed to high quality music making by developing and nurturing local brass players.

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DANIEL – VOLUNTEER HOT MEAL DELIVERY DRIVER

Daniel has been volunteering with the Clare Foundation to deliver hot meals to vulnerable people and sees it as a great way to give back to the community he grew up in.

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Buckinghamshire Women in Charity Awards – Young Charity Woman of the Year Award

The Young Charity Woman of the Year Award is given to individuals (25 years or below) who demonstrate exceptional talent and potential - read the stories of the winner and highly commended.

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Buckinghamshire Women in Charity Awards – Outstanding Volunteer Award

The Outstanding Volunteer Award recognises individuals whose efforts have made a significant difference to people’s lives - read the stories of the winner and highly commended.

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Buckinghamshire Women in Charity Awards – Trailblazer in the Charity Sector Award

The Trailblazer Award recognises individuals who have achieved/ contributed to huge impact, through enterprising, innovative and ground-breaking initiatives- read about the winner and highly commended

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Buckinghamshire Women in Charity Awards – Outstanding Leadership in the Charity Sector Award

The Outstanding Leadership Award recognises women who have made an outstanding contribution and demonstrated inspiring leadership - read the stories of the winner and highly commended below

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GEORGE, VOLUNTEERING HIS SOFTWARE SKILLS AT CIB

George volunteered to compile a list of community support providers for Community Impact Bucks but went further and designed a useful look-up tool.

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MARY, SUPPORT VOLUNTEER FOR COVID-19 VACCINATIONS

Mary has found volunteering at a COVID-19 vaccination site to be a great experience.

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ANDY, EDUCATION VOLUNTEER AT LOUDWATER COMBINED SCHOOL

Andy is one of the education volunteers helping children at Loudwater Combined School as part of the Education Aid initiative set up by High Wycombe Mutual Aid.

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MICHELLE, VOLUNTEER FOR BUCKINGHAMSHIRE HEALTHCARE NHS TRUST

Michelle volunteers on the stroke ward at High Wycombe Hospital, after being matched with the Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust.

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JUDITH, VOLUNTEER BEFRIENDER FOR ENRYCH

Judith signed up to volunteer in response to the COVID-19 crisis. She was matched as a befriender for Enrych, a charity which supports adults with disabilities to enjoy active and independent lives.

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DAVE, REST & REFLECT VOLUNTEER AT LINDENGATE

Dave is a volunteer at Lindengate, helping with the charity’s Rest and Reflect programme for NHS and key workers as well as the bereaved.

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ELLIE WALPOLE, remote volunteer with Community Impact Bucks

Remote volunteer with Community Impact Bucks in response to COVID-19

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LINDA FRANKLIN, volunteer delivering prescriptions

Volunteer delivering prescriptions in Aylesbury in response to COVID-19

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LINDSEY FEALEY, volunteer telephone befriender

Volunteer telephone befriender for the Princes Risborough area in response to COVID-19

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DEBBIE, PPE DELIVERY VOLUNTEER

Debbie has been delivering PPE to carers in and around Aylesbury and describes how she jumped at the chance to do something useful during lockdown.

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Volunteers’ Week 2020 – saying “Thank You” to Bucks’ volunteers

Here are just some of our incredible volunteers in Bucks, who we'd like to thank as part of Volunteers’ Week 2020.

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Small Charity Week 2020 – celebrating Bucks’ small charities

Small Charity Week (15th to 20th June 2020) celebrates and raises awareness of the essential work carried out by the UK small charity sector. Find out about some of our amazing Bucks' small charities below.

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SARAH, VOLUNTEER AT OLYMPIC LODGE

Sarah was one of the first volunteers at the Olympic Lodge which was opened in April 2020 in response to the pandemic. She found it very rewarding to be doing something useful as part of a team.

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Buckingham Park C of E PTA

Carys Dorritt chairs the Buckingham Park C of E Parent Teacher Association (PTA) She explains how support and advice from CIB has helped her in that role.

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Team Volunteering at Whiteleaf Hill

This team from APM, Princes Risborough, spent the day volunteering with the Chiltern Society at Whiteleaf Hill Nature Reserve.

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TEAM VOLUNTEERING – JANSSEN CILAG LTD

These pictures show the Medical Information Team from Janssen Cilag Ltd, in action, paintbrushes in hand, at their Volunteering Day at Oakridge School, High Wycombe.

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Medi-SOS

Medi-SOS is a charity providing emergency grab-bags for elderly people being taken to A&E. Jane Powell explains how CIB helped her set up the charity and find funding.

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THE HEALTHY LIVING CENTRE CIC, AYLESBURY

The Healthy Living Centre in Aylesbury is a community-led service aiming to build opportunities that support the development of individuals and groups in Buckinghamshire.

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WYCOMBE SOUND

Wycombe Community Radio CIC runs Wycombe Sound, the local radio station for High Wycombe. Pippa Sawyer, one of the founding directors, describes her experience of the services offered by Community Impact Bucks.

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Chris Phillips, Managing Director, Wycombe Sound

Chris has been the (unpaid) Managing Director of Wycombe Community Radio CIC since 2013 and is still passionate about it.

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Olga, Director of the Healthy Living Centre, Aylesbury

Olga is a working mum with 2 children who has recently become an unpaid director of the CIC which runs the Healthy Living Centre at Aylesbury.

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EMPOWER TO COOK CIC, HIGH WYCOMBE

Michael Brown, the Founding Director of Empower to Cook CIC, a social enterprise based in High Wycombe, tells how he recruited the ideal person to deal with the CIC’s finances via Reach Volunteering.

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SOUTH BUCKS HOSPICE

South Bucks Hospice supports patients with life-limiting or life-threatening illnesses, run by a mixture of highly skilled staff, volunteers and trustees. Michael explains how CIB helped him in his role as volunteer co-ordinator.

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Maddy – volunteer presenter at Wycombe Sound

Maddy volunteers as a regular presenter on Wycombe Sound and loves the whole experience.

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Shanthi – director of the Women’s Cultural Arena

Shanthi is an unpaid director of the Women’s Cultural Arena CIC, which she set up in 2017, to bring together women from different cultures and diverse ethnic backgrounds for mutual recognition, support and celebration.

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Francesca – voluntary work experience at Wycombe Sound

Francesca volunteered at Wycombe Sound for 2 weeks to gain practical experience in support of her University course in multi-media journalism.

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Adrian – voluntary general assistant at Wycombe Sound

There are many volunteers at Wycombe Sound but not everyone has to get behind a microphone – Adrian volunteers as a general assistant.

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Team Volunteering at Oakridge School, High Wycombe

These are just some of the volunteer earth-movers from the Marlow office of BeyondTrust who recently spent time at Oakridge School making a play area safe for children to use.

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VOLUNTEERING AT THE TURN END TRUST

Jackie, Anna, Nic and Venetia (L to R) talk about volunteering for the Turn End Trust, which was set up to promote the integration of building and garden design, of which Turn End is a leading example.

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7Roadlight

7Roadlight is a Community Interest Company set up to provide early intervention aimed at reducing youth offending.

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VERITY, TRUSTEE FOR RSPCA, SOUTH BUCKS

Verity is a trustee for RSPCA South Bucks. She also produces the local newsletter and is taking on responsibility for keeping the local RSPCA website and Facebook pages up to date.

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INAAM, TRUSTEE FOR WYCOMBE YOUTH ACTION

Inaam is a trustee for Wycombe Youth Action. His involvement started with him being a user, he moved on to spend many hours volunteering for the charity and is now a trustee with a focus on service delivery.

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Team Volunteering at Holmers House, High Wycombe

This group of volunteers are from Kantar and are shown here taking a break from a hard day’s gardening at Holmers House, a residential home for people with dementia in High Wycombe run by Heritage Care.

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A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A CIB LOCAL AMBASSADOR – CAROL

Carol Heap (above right) is volunteer local Ambassador for Community Impact Bucks in Marlow.

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JANET DAY, VOLUNTEER RECEPTIONIST FOR SOUTH BUCKS HOSPICE

Grandmother Janet Day is celebrating ten years as a volunteer at South Bucks Hospice – after the charity counselled her following treatment for cancer.

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JEFF WELLINGTON, VOLUNTEER DRIVER FOR SOUTH BUCKS HOSPICE

Jeff is a former British Airways manager who has volunteered for South Bucks Hospice for the past 19 years, both driving patients and now co-ordinating the team of volunteer drivers.

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DR CHRIS JORDAN, VOLUNTEER GARDENER FOR SOUTH BUCKS HOSPICE

Chris Jordan looks the picture of a dedicated professional gardener tending the flower-beds and shrubs outside Butterfly House, the home of South Bucks Hospice. He is also a distinguished pharmacologist.

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VOICES AND CHOICES

Voices and Choices is a local voluntary organisation which focuses on helping people remain in their own homes while receiving the help and services they require.

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GRAHAM, VOLUNTEER THROUGH AND THROUGH

Graham volunteers for a number of organisations which help support the community in Iver, Richings Park and the local area.

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OLIVIA, VOLUNTEER DRIVER FOR THE IVERS GOOD NEIGHBOURS

Olivia is a volunteer driver and secretary/treasurer for the Ivers Good Neighbours - a scheme run and operated by volunteers helping residents in the Ivers get to over 200 appointments in the last year.

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LEILA, VOLUNTARY RANGER, CHILTERN RANGERS

Leila has been volunteering as a Chiltern Ranger for almost two years and would recommend volunteering to anyone.

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SAM AVERY, VOLUNTEER AT AYLESBURY VALE CHILD CONTACT CENTRE

Sam Avery is a volunteer at Aylesbury Vale Child Contact Centre. The centre is a safe and friendly place where children can spend time with family members they don’t live with for various reasons.

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JACQUI MAGILL & TOBY PAYNE, VOLUNTEER B&Bers FOR HEARING DOGS FOR DEAF PEOPLE

Jacqui and Toby volunteer as B&Bers for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People

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HAZEL FINNEY, VOLUNTEER WITH THE ASSOCIATION OF VOLUNTEER MANAGERS

Hazel is a volunteer with the Association of Volunteer Managers (AVM), and Lead for Volunteering at Community Impact Bucks (CIB).

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Team volunteering at Waddesdon Greenway, Aylesbury Vale

Officially opened on 13th September 2018, Waddesdon Greenway links Waddesdon Manor with Aylesbury Vale Parkway station.

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Orchard Ground, Cublington, Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire

Orchard Ground is a recreational area in the village of Cublington, Buckinghamshire that was left to the village by the Biggs family legacy in the late 1970s for use by the residents for their leisure and recreation.

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Women’s Cultural Arena, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire

Women’s Cultural Arena (WCA) in High Wycombe strives to bring together women (even though all welcome) from diverse cultures and different ethnic backgrounds.

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Wycombe Heritage Arts Trust, Wycombe

Registered as a charity in 2014, the Wycombe Heritage and Arts Trust (WHAT) aims to promote a love of heritage, culture and arts amongst the local and wider communities.

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Buckinghamshire Mind: Trustee Recruitment

Buckinghamshire Mind is an independent charity working to support and represent people with mental health needs in the local community. It is run by local people for local people but is affiliated to National Mind.

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Lesley Davies, Trustee, Community Impact Bucks

Lesley has been a trustee with CIB since 2017. She is an experienced People Director with a track record of achieving results at Board level in both a business and not-for-profit capacity.

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CPRE Buckinghamshire, Trustee Recruitment

CPRE Buckinghamshire is dedicated to the protection of the local countryside and its wildlife.

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Wycombe Refugee Partnership, High Wycombe

Wycombe Refugee Partnership helps refugees and asylum seekers, who have legal status to remain in the UK, resettle in High Wycombe and make a new start in the local community.

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Lindengate – team volunteering

Since 2014 Lindengate has offered specialised gardening activities to help those with mental health needs in their continuing recovery.

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South Bucks Royal Osteoporosis Society Support Group

The Royal Osteoporosis Society is committed to helping people with osteoporosis live the lives they want to lead and work every day to prevent future fractures. 

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Stephen Wratten, Volunteering Researcher, Community Impact Bucks

Volunteer role: Volunteering Researcher, Community Impact Bucks What did the role entail? Volunteering rates are decreasing throughout the UK and,…

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Harry T, gardening and animal management volunteer roles

Volunteer role: Gardening/ smallholding volunteer at Green Dragon Eco Farm (Hogshaw, near Quainton), Thrift Farm (Waddon, near Milton Keynes), and…

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Clare Blackburn, Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity Shop

Name: Clare Blackburn Volunteer role: Retail Assistant, Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity Shop, Walton Court, Aylesbury How long have you been…

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Marlene Baker, Local Ambassador at Community Impact Bucks

Name: Marlene Baker Volunteer role: Local Ambassador at Community Impact Bucks How long have you been volunteering? I have been…

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Woodland Adventure Club

Woodland Adventure Club (WAC) was formed in Amersham in 2016 to provide a broad range of outdoor activities for adults and children. It provides school-time sessions, after school and holiday clubs for children aged 4-14 years of age.

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Winslow Activity Club

Community Impact Bucks have supported Winslow Activity Club with a variety of help over the past few years and has become their ‘go-to’ source of help and advice.

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Steve, Section leader for Whiteleaf Beaver Colony

The best bits of volunteering? For Steve it’s seeing the young people enjoying themselves and learning new skills.

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Handy Helpers

Steve gives his time to help improve the lives of other people.

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Steve, Enrych volunteer

Steve combined his favourite hobby with volunteering and now helps run Enrych’s photography group working with adults with disabilities.

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St Francis’ Children’s Society

Leanne Sinclair, fundraising officer, talks about how she successfully uses the Bucks Funding Search.

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The Oasis Partnership

The Oasis Partnership is a charity which has been providing specialist drug and alcohol support services across Buckinghamshire since 1984.

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Handy Helpers

Mr B got in touch with us for a small job around his home, but he found our Handy Helpers scheme gave him so much more.

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Matthew, Age UK befriender

“Time costs me nothing, but means the world to someone else.”

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John May

John has been volunteering as an Expert Volunteer in Research and Data Analysis with Community Impact Bucks since the spring of 2016.

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Jade Clarke, Teenaged Trustee, Aylesbury Youth Action

Teenaged trustee: Being a 19-year old Board member. Jade tells us more…

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Tori, Trustee & vice-chair of Bucks Mind

“Although the time commitment can be a challenge, if you’re passionate about something, you can help an organisation deliver real benefits and that’s amazing.”

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Ira Bhattacharya

Ira has been a trustee with Bucks Mind since April 2016 after meeting them at Community Impact Bucks’ Trustee Fair in January 2016.

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Heidi Rutherford

Heidi combines her love of hockey with a vital volunteering role.

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Gill Mackenzie

“I like meeting and helping people, and I really feel I can help and make a difference.”

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Gavin, Volunteer Team Gardener

Gavin is a member of Community Impact Bucks’ Gardening and Befriending Project. He had only planned to volunteer for a short time, but enjoyed it so much he’s still doing it.

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Chris Usher

“You get a nice warm feeling when you see people enjoying themselves and achieving their goals.”

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Bucks Vision

BucksVision is the local visual impairment charity working within Buckinghamshire. It supports people at all stages of sight loss.

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Abbey Gym Club

Abbey Gym Club is a community gymnastics club, and registered charity, that operates from Prestwood Junior School in Buckinghamshire.

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Image courtesy of St Francis's Children Society