Volunteer Training - Roll up, Roll up!

Community Builders ran the first of its 2-day Training Courses for Volunteers, to help people involved with or running community groups.

15 people from 6 different groups came along; St Denys Junior Youth Club, Sedbergh Area Tenants & Residents Association, EU Welcome, DICE (Eastleigh), Mini Millbrook Project and Southampton Scrapstore. The groups came from Southampton and Eastleigh, and some were independent groups not known to the CB Project.

To make it fun, the training had a Victorian Music Hall theme. Everyone invited received a formal invitation and trick dice through the post. James Street Church hall was decked out with green tables, feathers and playing cards; the Trainers, Jennie and Pat from TWICS dressed up as a glamorous assistant and a fairy God Mother to host the show; and Stuart provided the organ and snare roll accompaniment.

Show stoppers included 'You don't have to saw yourself in two' - how to delegate, 'Houdini's escape from the rut' - moving your project forward and 'Magic'ing up support' - where to find help & advice.

The day was finished off with 'Multiplying Membership not Rabbits', - a hands on craft activity making personal invitations to advertise a group. Out came the scrap, sleeves were rolled up and everyone got stuck in.

Many cups of tea and lollipops later, the music hall cleared and everyone went away happy and looking forward to day 2 the next week. The feedback was good and what people really seemed to like was meeting others 'in the same boat';

'Brilliant, got lots of ideas and information, enjoyed meeting new people and the loved the costumes – you made it fun.'