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Louise Stokes
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Louise was born in Bridgnorth but her family moved up to North Shropshire when she was young. Her mother is from a farm near Goldstone and her father's family is from Darlistone hamlet. She has lived in Wem for the past 10 years and is the proud mother of Jed (7) and Nell (5 months). Louise attended Manchester University and obtained a business studies degree, but following a year in an international company she decided that this path wasn't for her. Since then, she has always been involved in different community activities and has worked in the voluntary sector for 11 years. The area she covers includes the four market towns in North Shropshire so much of the time is spent travelling between placements, monitoring the success and giving the extra support which is so often lacking elsewhere. Over 90 voluntary organisations are registered with the North Shropshire
Voluntary Association, which is a reflection on the wide ranging diversity
of charities and volunteering opportunities that are based in North
Shropshire. The demand for volunteers is constant, ranging from the
need for committee members, through to work in the advisory sector
and helping older people.
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The North Shropshire Voluntary Action group is involved in a number of related activities. They promote volunteering and encourage people to volunteer. A colleague specialises in assisting voluntary groups and volunteers with specific needs, effectively matching the supply and demand (volunteering brokerage). There is also a project within volunteering which is set up to support those who may need extra help but still wish to give some of their time. For example, people with learning or physical disabilities. A member of the NSVA team will accompany the volunteer for as long as necessary until everyone is comfortable with the situation; This project has a huge success rate and opens up to opportunity to volunteering to many more people. The NSVA also provides an annual training programme for different voluntary organisations. Attendance is free to volunteers and committee members. The course are based on a wide range of material, varying from information about counselling, supporting HIV positive people to helping people to find and retain volunteers. In addition, the team also lends out equipment such as display boards and flip charts free of charge, which is linked in with the training aspect of the group. Louise's role is to be involved in partnerships and funding for workers, whilst helping volunteers and community groups to establish, develop and to register as a charity where appropriate. For example, the Furniture Recycling Scheme has recently been introduced in North Shropshire. Unwanted furniture is donated and then redistributed amongst those who need the extra help. This not only fulfils a forgotten demand, but has environmental benefits as it helps to prevent the excessive waste produced and left at waste disposal sites. The health and care information project collates information about organisations and activities the county. The directory provides a comprehensive list of contacts for help with a diverse number of issues: from gambling, to dyslexia information, to bullying, drug abuse and social clubs. The information for these local and national support groups is currently being transferred onto Shropshire Online. |
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Offering to |
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Louise hopes to draw from
the network awareness and support for the NVA activities and to
identify opportunities and possible recruits for voluntary activity.
She appreciates the importance of networking in rural areas where
much information is passed on via word of mouth. |
Louise hopes to offer to the network both opportunities and recruits for voluntary work in and around the locality. She is very supportive of the Taste of the Town network and understands its importance, especially in rural areas where much information is passed on via word-of-mouth. |
List of other members with a special interests in
Contact Details:
Address: North Shropshire Voluntary Action, FREEPOST, NWW2162A, Whitchurch, SY13 1DZ
Telephone: 01948 667650
Email: nsvb@o2.co.uk