Volunteering Opportunities
During the period of Covid, whilst visiting prisons is not possible and everyone’s safety is paramount, there remain an essential number of things on the No Going Back programme that still require support and input. To this end we have created an innovative volunteering programme that is designed to suit everyone and that highlights the huge value all the members of the Livery can bring to NGB with their wealth of experience. This is not only to help prevent people returning to prison, but also to provide the volunteers themselves with a unique experience. As the programme develops new opportunities will become available and we will update the website regularly.
How you can become involved
We recognise that not everyone will have unlimited time so we have tried to tailor our volunteering to fit with that. We have made this easy by creating the sign-up form below to say what time and skills you can commit. We have made a list of just a few of the skills we are looking for e.g. Employment support, Specific career skills knowledge, teaching skills, strategic capabilities to advise the team, organisational skills, coaching and buddying and digital expertise.
Introducing the ideas
Concept 1: What is the Livery?
One of the important aims of this project is to enable a broader group to understand what the Livery is and does. NGB offers a chance to communicate the history, culture and influence of the Livery companies in modern life to diverse audiences from prisoners to Corporate supporters. We hope that post Covid, there will be an opportunity to take participants to visit the Livery halls. The programme builds up to the launch and beyond includes Prison Radio slots with quizzes and fun ways to communicate to the locked down prisoners via radio and printed materials. We will also need literature about the Livery to take into the prison, and prizes have already been provided by the Livery companies including the Playing Card makers and others.
Concept 2: The Digital Revolution!
We’re going more digital daily, from an NGB app to video CV’s as well as e-learning and the Future of Construction – we need all the help we can get. Alongside our in-house expertise the NGB team would value Livery volunteer input. In addition people leaving prison need to be supported into learning about this.
Concept 3: We Can’t Do it Without you – Employer Engagement
In the new world, employment support is more important than ever. From hosting employer round tables to teaching prison leavers (and prisoners when access to the prison re-opens) about the World of Work are just two aspects of the support that NGB needs. Initially engagement will be on Zoom, moving into the community as soon as possible and then into the prison.
Employment Advice and support for prison leavers
Phase 1 this will largely be done via Zoom and will include filming CV’s, interview skills, and will include a programme of engaging ‘games’ and activities that will be around growth, literacy, career development, employability skills, CV writing, money management and self-employment. We’ll also need career information and employer materials to go into individual packs.
Next Steps
Get involved! Volunteer recruitment and engagement has started and will continue until mid 2021. We look forward to welcoming you.
