North Tyneside Volunteer Centre

Rachel Forde

Aim/objective – what were you trying to achieve?

Celebrate, Promote and Reward Youth Volunteering

Description – what did you do, what happened?

Supported Rachel Forde to get involved as a volunteer with VODA’s Millennium Volunteers Project. Rachel wrote an article for Youth Action magazine that is published and distributed nationally. As a result Rachel was invited to meet Tony Blair at a special volunteers’ reception at Downing Street. Rachel spoke to Tony Blair about living in North Tyneside and her experience of volunteering.

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

National publicity and promotion of youth volunteering in Youth Action magazine. Impending press release about Rachel’s involvement. Reflections by Rachel on the learning and skills developed as a young volunteer.

Personal experience:

My name is Rachel Forde, I am 22 years old and I live in Wallsend, North Tyneside. I volunteer every week at VODA and at Wallsend Library.

I found out about volunteering after speaking to my Connexions Personal Advisor, who put me in touch with the North Tyneside Millennium Volunteers
Project.

Every Friday at VODA I help with office work such as making information packs, sending out newsletters and typing. VODA has also involved me in the local Youth Voice radio project and handing put programmes at a local theatre.

On Tuesday at Wallsend Library I stamp and price the books.

I really like volunteering because I meet new people, have fun and get a chance to learn new things. Another Millennium Volunteer called Kimbo sometimes helps me at VODA.

I hope to continue my Volunteering and get a job in the future. I would love to be a doctor or singer.