Chair - Theresa Pini Expand Theresa has spent all of her career in Human Resources within the private sector and her last position in the UK was as HR Director (UK, Ireland and South Africa) for a large international electronics company. She then transferred to Amsterdam for 4 years where she was the Global Head of Leadership Development with particular focus on emerging markets.Her experience in volunteering was with UNICEF where she was the Treasurer and then Chair of the Cambridge branch. More recently, she was a proud volunteer for the Tall Ships Regatta in Greenwich.
Vice Chair - Jon Fricker Expand Jon has a degree in International Marketing and German and has over 35 years’ experience in marketing. Jon has also been a mentor at the University of Greenwich for marketing students and for the University’s annual Enterprise Challenge
Treasurer - Deborah Wallis Expand 30+ years of experience working in banking, specifically as a Treasury dealer. Deborah has carried out other volunteering roles including being the treasurer of a local sports club and a Greenwich dementia support charity as well as being a Team London ambassador during the 2012 London Olympics. A proud Greenwich resident who wants to contribute something to the community.
Trustee - Cheryl Chow Expand Cheryl is a qualified accountant for over 18 years and has worked in financial roles in various industries. She is a mother of two and has been a resident of the borough for 10 years.
Trustee Kate Askew Expand Kate was employed in Adult and Community Learning for over 20 years, in both teaching and community development roles. She previously worked in the NHS as a nurse and has good experience in the areas of Health and Safety and working with diverse community groups.
Q: Can I leave if the role isn’t for me? Expand A: Yes, of course. Volunteering should be fun! There’s no obligation to stay in a role that’s making you unhappy. The best advice is to speak with your supervisor and let them know how you feel.
Q: Can I volunteer if I have a disability? Expand A: Yes, many organisations can provide a variety of access and support needs. You can discuss any support needs you have with the organisation you are interested in volunteering with.
Q: Can I volunteer if I have a criminal conviction? Expand A: Many people with a criminal conviction do volunteer, however, it may limit the roles you can do depending on the nature of the conviction.
Q: Do I need a DBS check? Expand A: Whether you need a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check or not will depend on the volunteer role you will be undertaking; usually this will be when you are volunteering for an opportunity that requires working with vulnerable people such as children, the elderly, or people with mental health difficulties. This is a government run service that checks whether you have a Criminal Record or are on the DBS Barred List. The DBS check is free for volunteers that need it. Further information can be found on the Disclosure & Barring website or look at our guide.
Q: Are there any age restrictions to volunteering? Expand A: There is no legal age limit, although organisations involving volunteers sometimes have a minimum and maximum age limit, as their insurance policy may not cover certain age groups (such as under 16s and over 80s). Volunteering, however, should be based on the ability of a person to do the role, not their age.
Q: Can I volunteer if I am from overseas? Expand A: Generally, there should be no problem with an organisation accepting someone from outside the UK as a volunteer, but the individual must ensure that immigration rules allow them to do so. Volunteer Centre Camden have some useful further information for European citizens, refugees and asylum seekers and citizens of other countries.
Q: Can I volunteer if my faith means I need to pray during my volunteering? Expand A: Yes you can. When you talk to an organisation about a potential volunteering role you can ask them what arrangements they are able to make to give you time and a space for worship.
Q: Will I get paid? Expand A: A volunteer is defined as ‘someone who willingly gives their time to a good cause’. You will not get paid for your time but usually you will be reimbursed certain expenses from the organisation you volunteer with, so that volunteering does not leave you out of pocket.
Q: How much time is involved? Expand A: The great thing about volunteering is that it’s so varied and flexible you can usually find something to fit in with your lifestyle. It needn’t be the same day or time every week, it could be for a one-off event, a short project or a regular activity. Or you may have some spare moments when you could help from home. Before you start volunteering have a think about when, how often and how long you want to volunteer for. Then search for opportunities which match up to what you want to do.
Q. What do volunteers do? Expand A:How big is your imagination?! There are so many different opportunities on offer, it’s up to you to decide whether you prefer doing something you’re already familiar with, or take the plunge and try something new. Most organisations will value your time and energy above anything else, and will probably offer training to help you in your new role. Sometimes organisations do require specific skills, but if you’re not sure get in touch with them for more information. Here’s some examples of recent local volunteering opportunities: Office admin Working in a charity shop Develop a marketing or business plan Become a Trustee – get involved in the running of a charity Help plan and organise fundraising events IT – show other volunteers and staff how to use computers Manage woodland and outdoor spaces Sports coaching Visit an older person Drive someone to a hospital appointment
Trustee Martin Riley Expand Riley is an experienced Technology Consultant with a passion for entrepreneurship and a gift for problem-solving. He has over two decades' worth of experience in designing and implementing technology solutions in commercial and non-commercial environments.
Trustee Melanie Taylor Expand Mel is Head of Learning for the Greenwich Cooperative Development Agency and manages their training and health contracts. Trained in Nutritional Therapy, Mel delivers healthy eating training to local organisations in Greenwich and Lewisham and trains up local cookery club tutors to run clubs for the local community. She runs the Good Food in Greenwich partnership and works with diverse groups and businesses across the borough to make the food system more sustainable.
Michelle Martin - Chief Executive Expand Michelle Martin Chief Executive ‘Michelle has worked within the voluntary sector since April 2000 and has been the Chief Executive of VCG since January 2008. Michelle holds a Masters degree in Management in Civil Society, has a commercial background and is also a qualified youth worker and trainer’. [email protected]
Nadine Fulker - Operations and Volunteering Services Manager Expand Nadine Fulker Operations and Services Manager Nadine has worked in the sector for 15years. She has worked on a variety of projects from Health & Primary Care to Events and Policy Development . She specialises in Volunteer Management and Recruitment and is a qualified trainer and assessor. Nadine is the Core Operations, Volunteering and Membership Services Manager, overseeing the provision of services that support to local people seeking volunteer and organisaitons involving volunteers. contact nadine:[email protected]
Stephanie Pinner - Training Services Manager Expand Stephanie Pinner Training & Business Development Manager Stephanie has worked in the voluntary sector for 22 years and has been the VCG Training Manager for 5 years and her areas of specialism include IAG, Sports Development and Volunteer Management. Stephanie is a qualified trainer and adviser, she also founded and is the Secretary for a local grassroots football club [email protected]
Elizabeth Cutajar - Supported Volunteer Project Manager Expand Liz Cutajar Mentoring and Befriending Manager Liz has a degree in psychology and social policy and has worked in the voluntary sector for the past 16 years. Previously she has worked in criminal justice, run research projects and for 5 years managed a small charity supporting children and families. Liz has also worked as part of Bexley CVS. In 2007 she joined Volunteer Centre Greenwich and now manages the Supported Volunteering Projects. Liz is Chair of Plumstead Common Pre-school and sits on the management committee of Neutral Ground. She holds a Level 3 Award in Education and Training Contact Liz: [email protected]
Sharon Lines - Supported Volunteering Development Worker Expand Sharon Lines Project Development Worker Sharon has worked in the voluntary sector for over 12 years. To help with her role she studied for level 2 and 3 in counselling, plus she achieved The Certificate in Mental Health Studies through Open University. After having 2 children Sharon decided to volunteer at Bexley CVS and then went on to work for them for 10 years running the Volunteer Support Project. She then joined VCG in May 2019 as the Development Worker on the Supported Volunteering Project and recently completed the Level 3 Award in Education and Training. Since April 2020 Sharon has also been involved in helping to set up and run the Befriending Project, which she is doing alongside her current role. Contact Sharon: [email protected]
Marcia Francis - Mentoring and Befriending Project Support Worker Expand Marcia Francis Mentoring and Befriending Project Support Worker I joined the VCG team during in pandemic to provide much needed support to the Mentoring and Befriending projects that have provide an important service to isolated and vulnerable people across the Royal Borough of Greenwich [email protected]
Corinne Bardin - Volunteer Co-ordinator Expand Corinne Bardin Vaccination Programme Volunteer Co-ordinator Corinne has recently join VCG. She is our Volunteer Coordinator and has been helping to manage on the Covid Vaccination Programme from the beginning. Handling the recruitment and organising volunteers on Vaccination Programme sites across the borough. [email protected]