SVP Personal Accident Insurance
If a volunteer had an accident when carrying out SVP volunteering work and, as a result of that accident, wanted to claim for compensation, they would be unable to do so if they are 74 years or older as insurance works on the basis that compensation would be for loss of earnings.
SVP Public Liability Insurance
If a member of the public or third party had an accident which was the fault of a volunteer, i.e. due to their negligence and the third party want to claim compensation. If the claim was successful, the money awarded would not be paid by the volunteer, the money awarded would come out of the SVP Public Liability Insurance.
We really value our helpers with experience but understand that these might make some of you re-evaluate whether you wish to continue volunteering.
Please note all helpers need to attend a development day and capacity for catch up sessions, as we have done in the past, is VERY LIMITED. Please do not rely on being able to catch up a session as we really don’t want to disappoint anyone. Out of diocese volunteers please contact, BarbaraT@svp.org.uk, if these are not possible. We are hoping that by getting these dates out early people will be able to save the date.
- December 1
Helpers Applications will go online.
This year there will be two forms. One for Term Time Helpers and one for SVP Summer Vinnies Camps. If you wish to do both you will need to fill out both forms.
Anyone who would like to help recruit new volunteers at their church, please email BarbaraT@svp.org.uk
- January 1
Children’s applications online.
Schools, Churches, SVP groups and Mini Vinnies emailed out before Half term with presentation, new posters and links. Volunteers needed to contact schools via phone to follow up the emails.
- February 28
Mandatory online (Teams) Camp leader and deputy training and the those interested in becoming a Deputy Leader at Camp.
You are only required to attend ONE training day.
- March 7/8/9
Opening the Main Camp for Winter. Volunteers can give as little or as much help as needed-If staying over you would need to provide your own food. You may need to share a room. If you can help with transport for others this would be good. Expenses can be paid if needed please email JohnF@svp.org.uk
Those wishing to help need to contact MikeR@svp.org.uk nearer the time.
- March 8
New Helper, Kitchen and Caretaking
If you attend the opening of Camp, you will of course already be on the island. This is specific training. If you cannot make this date then other training is available but not specific to the role and covers the general aspects of being a helper in any role.
- March 28
Mandatory online (Teams) Camp leader and deputy training and the those interested in becoming a Deputy Leader at Camp.
You are only required to attend ONE training day.
- April 25
Dorm Helper Development Day - existing helpers (new helpers are welcome to attend). St Aloysius Hebburn. Expenses can be paid if needed please email JohnF@svp.org.uk
Parents meeting – 14:00
- June 13
Dorm Helper Development Day - existing helpers new helpers are welcome to attend). St Aloysius Hebburn. Expenses can be paid if needed please email JohnF@svp.org.uk
Parents meeting – 14:00
The St Vincent de Paul Society (England & Wales) and Ozanam Camp recognises the value of our volunteers and would always seek to provide or help with expenses relating to volunteering. Please contact JohnF@svp.org.uk
Our dormitory helpers work alongside the children and are responsible for the day-to-day care of the young twenty-four hours a day for seven days a week during our Summer SVP Vinnies Camps. They are responsible for helping to organise activities, keeping children safe and creating fun for our young people, as well as listening to them and taking a pastoral role regarding their daily needs. Helpers are present from breakfast and work with others to help run activities such as sports, crafts and challenges across the day. Bedtime is around half nine and there is then some down time two or three nights through the week to catch up on much needed sleep or to socialise and relax with other helpers. All meals are provided and accommodation is basic but clean and not under canvas. We have a purpose-built centre. The work is tiring but fun and you will make firm friendships quickly, amongst the other volunteers.
Many of our volunteers, return year upon year to help and find that they become part of what we sometimes call our Camp Volunteering Family. There are no particular skills needed but a calm caring approach, an empathy with our Vincentian values, sense of humour and resilience are all required in ‘bucket loads’..
See our videos as to why some of our volunteers continue this great work at our SVP Vinnies Camps.
With so many children to feed each week, working in the kitchen is a vital role for Camp. Kitchen helpers help to prepare food, look after the dining room, serve meals from our serving hatch and clear dishes and pots. The days are tiring but there are always short breaks during the day and others there to help. Kitchen Helpers work under the direction of the Cook and are usually finished after the evening meal is finished. Basic food hygiene training is given and for those with catering skills, we are always looking for cooks to lead the weekly kitchens. Accommodation in Lindisfarne House (attached to Camp) is provided and this is a warm comfortable environment in which to stay. Helpers work as a team and are trained via face-to-face Development Days, undergo online safeguarding training, and are fully DBS checked and referenced. New helpers are interviewed and teamed up with experienced volunteers for support
Junior helpers work as a team and are trained via face-to-face Development Days, undergo online safeguarding training, and are fully DBS checked and referenced. New helpers are interviewed and teamed up with experienced volunteers for support
If you are aged 16-17, you can apply to be a Junior Helper and experience the role of a Dormitory Helper in a junior capacity. You will be able to help the children and Dormitory Helpers in organising activities, get to know the children and begin to get a feel for what volunteering as an adult helper would be like. Many of our Juniors, complete Duke of Edinburgh Awards during their time with us and go on to become Dormitory helpers at the age of 18.
Again, this is a vital role on Camp. Caretakers work in teams and are responsible for the general cleaning and tidiness of camps communal areas. If you can stretch to sorting out a bit of shelving or fixing something which is broken… even better! Helpers work as a team and are trained via face-to-face Development Days, undergo online safeguarding training, and are fully DBS checked and referenced. New helpers are interviewed and teamed up with experienced volunteers for support
Term Time Camps are a vital part of our work at Camp and require lots of volunteers. Here, the time commitment is more flexible. Term Time Camps run in Term Time from March to August and then September to mid-October. We rent our Centre to Schools and youth groups, who use our accommodation to provide residentials for their guests. We do not have any helpers who work with children in these Camps as the groups bring their own staff. However, we do need kitchen Helpers, Cooks and Caretakers. These Camps run from three to five days, usually Monday to Friday but also occasionally across a weekend. Helpers sign up to help at whichever ones they wish to do, they can do one, two or several over the course of the year. The roles are as outlined above. The application process and training is the same for both Term Time and Vinnie Camp Volunteers.