The Big Dog Walk

Outcome/CYPP action to which this Case Study applies

Make a positive Contribution

 Aim/objective – what were you trying to achieve?

Take part in Make a Difference Day 2006 by walking needy dogs in North Tyneside

Description – what did you do, what happened?

North Tyneside Volunteers aged from 5-70 years old volunteered in October for the National Make a Difference Day.

The purpose of the day was to walk dogs which came from either the cat and dog shelter or the homes of housebound elderly residents. Volunteers were paired with dogs; we then walked for two hours around North Tyneside.

Impact – what is the evidence that you made a difference?

Young people got a positive experience of volunteering and gained the opportunity to interact with people from different generations.

The local community benefited as elderly residents were able to have their dogs walked by volunteers. In turn this helped to break down some of the stereotypes that the elderly hold about young people by seeing young people doing something positive.

The local charity Newcastle Cat and Dog shelter benefited, especially through the publicity which was generated leading up to the event.

VODA was nominated for a CSV award “Best Feel-good Activity” for organising this event. Staff and a volunteer will be travelling to London in February to attend an awards dinner, further raising the profile of youth volunteering in North Tyneside.

Due to the success of the event VODA’s Youth volunteering project has decided to set up a dog walking scheme. Young volunteers will be recruited to walk elderly people’s dogs in the local community. This will allow the impact made on the day to continue.

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