In November 2006 Rebecca Leary from Active Youth took three volunteers to speak about their experience of volunteering at the National Youth Conference in London. Ryan, Gary and Claire got such a great reception that we have been asked to run a youth volunteering workshop at another conference in London next month.

This time Ryan will be accompanied by Jane Lynch to run a youth volunteering workshop at the Making Youth Matters Conference on 26th February.

Young people from across North Tyneside are currently involved in a creative volunteering challenge. Churchill, Norham and Tyne Met students are customizing clothes from charity shops to put on a charity fashion event. The groups are hoping to raise the image of charity shops and promote recycling. Tyne Met students are displaying their outfits at a fashion show during International Women's Day Churchill students are hoping to display their garments during their community day in March The group from Norham aka The Pink Lad and Ladies are planning a show for later in the year. For more information about the events watch this space!

Daniel Fawcus received a grant from the Big Boost at a recent surgery held at the Shiremoor Centre last year. Daniel has been working hard on his project and will be holding his big event on Thursday 29th March. During the event young people will get the chance to talk about their volunteering projects and look at ways of developing new activities. Daniel will be sending out invites next month.

A group of young people from Percy Hedley day centre in Benton, volunteered to plan and host a series of discos in the day centre for the people who attend the centre.

VODA’s Youth Volunteering staff are visiting schools and youth groups during the week of 5th March. We will be running stalls, giving presentations, handing out information and speaking to young people. If your school or youth group has not booked us yet then get them to give us a call!