Volunteering
Giving freely of your time and energy to a cause you wish to support
There are plenty of voluntary and community groups crying out for volunteers in the town and in Mid Bedfordshire. To find out more visit:

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Address: 43 Bromham Road, Bedford, MK40 2AA
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Tel: 01234 213100
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Email: vb@bedfordvb.org.uk
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Website: www.volunteeringbedford.org.uk
The Volunteer Centre Bedford covers both Mid & North Bedfordshire and can assist you if you are looking to volunteer or if your organisation requires volunteers, in the following ways:
- Volunteering Opportunities: by signposting you to Volunteering Opportunities with volunteer-involving organisations throughout the area.
- Volunteers Required by Your Organisation: if your organisation requires volunteers we can publicise you needs via websites, newsletters, posters & regular mailings

Search for Local Volunteering Opportunities
Visit www.volunteeringbedford.org.uk as you can search for local volunteering opportunities from the search box on the frontpage that simply requires you to enter your town/village name or your post code. By default this will bring up all the available volunteering opportunities within a five mile radius of your location, you can then re-define your search.

Volunteering Opportunities in Ampthill
You can visit this site's Voluntary Groups page and see if they require your services in a voluntary capacity. Detailed below are just a few of the many opportunities in the town:
Ampthill Festival Gala Day
Volunteers Needed - Ampthill Festival Gala Day 2010 will take place in Ampthill Park on Sunday 27th June 2010. Have you got some time available to join our planning committee or a few hours to spare on Gala Day, as we would be keen to hear from you as we a looking for volunteers to assist us with the event? You could be a Committee Member, a Steward, a helper in setting up or taking down the festival, a helper with litter picking, collecting donations, distributing programmes, or marshalling the parade etc. We would love to hear from you! Please contact Mark Smith (Home 402560 or Work 01234 354366 or mark.a.smith@ampthill.org.uk)
Ampthill Festival's Proms in the Park
Ampthill Festival Planning Committee is pleased to announce that Proms in the Park will take place Saturday 26th June 2010 (the evening before this year's Gala Day). So make a note on your diary and look out for booking information for this new cultural highlight in Ampthill's calendar of events. If you are interested in helping plan or help out on the day of this event (or indeed Ampthill Gala Day), contact Mark Smith at mark.a.smith@ampthill.org.uk or phone 01234 354366 (Work) or 01525 402560 (Home).
Ampthill & District Good Neighbours
Are you interested in becoming a Volunteer for Ampthill & District Good Neighbours?
Volunteering for the scheme could not be easier, as Ampthill Good Neighbours are interested in utilizing your skills and experience to help those residents needing help. Ampthill Good Neighbours are keen use what ever skills you can bring to the scheme to benefit the residents of the town, so don't be shy in coming forward!
It is important to emphasize that as a volunteer you can do as little or as much as you want.
The main thing is that you will gain satisfaction and fulfilment in knowing that you are helping your 'neighbours'.
Please be aware that as the scheme will be dealing with younger, older people and other vulnerable adults, you will be Criminal Records Board checked (at no expense to yourself). In addition you will never be out of pocket as out of pocket expenses are paid.
We are currently looking for the following volunteers to assist our vital community scheme:
- Drivers - who are able to provide lifts to and from local hospitals, doctor's surgeries, opticians, dentists and shops. (Your Mileage is repaid at 40p per mile).
- Mobile Phone Holders - who are able to be part of a rota of volunteers who hold the schemes mobile phone (for a week at a time) and accept phone calls from residents in need and then arrange for a scheme volunteer to meet that need.
- Steering Committee Members - we are looking for volunteers to join our steering committee and oversee and provide future direction for our vital service for our community.
- Other Opportunities - in addition we are also looking volunteers that are able to collect prescriptions, undertake small household jobs (such as changing light bulbs, moving furniture, carrying out emergency minor repairs or doing occasional light housework), dog walking or other pet care (for example during holidays/illness), preparing emergency meals and snacks, befriending or gardening.
Don't be put off if you are working full-time or have a limited number of hours available. We would love to find hear from you whatever the amount of time you can give to the scheme. The reward is in the knowledge that you're helping your 'neighbours' in the community!
For more details on becoming a volunteer contact Mark Smith (Chairman of Ampthill & District Good Neighbours) for more details on 402560 (home) or 01234 354366 (work)
Leonard Cheshire Disability
Leonard Cheshire Disability, Agate House is looking for volunteers to join our team.
We are home to 28 physically disabled people and are offering rewarding volunteering opportunities to support our work with our residents. Whatever your background we can put your skills to good use and we do our best to match your skills, interest and availability to a volunteer role. We offer all volunteers induction and training, continued support and reimbursement of expenses. Opportunities available include, escorting disabled people to local activities and facilities, supporting disabled people to take part in leisure interests and hobbies, befriending disabled people and fundraising. If you have a skill to share or just a little free time to offer, join us, and make someone smile.
For further information please contact Wendy McGauley, Volunteer Coordinator on 403247 or email wendy.mcgauley@LCdisability.org