Voluntary Action North Somerset

Pam Lacy has joined Voluntary Action North Somerset as CEO, replacing Linda Shaw, who left in April.

Pam said   “I am thrilled to have been appointed as the new Chief Executive of Voluntary Action North Somerset.  I have worked in the Third Sector since 1995 in a variety of roles, all based in the South West.

I am really looking forward to working alongside the VANS Board of Trustees, volunteers and staff as we continue to build on all that has been achieved so far in North Somerset.

It is going to be a very busy time for us over the next few months but I am confident that we will continue to give excellent support and help to the Voluntary and Community Sector in North Somerset and work in partnership with our colleagues in the statutory sector.”

The board of trustees expressed their appreciation of Linda’s hard work, commitment and support for VANS during her tenure as manager and director.

We are taking part in the Foneaid Mobile Phone Recycling Campaign.

Do you have any unwanted phones? Doesn’t matter if they work or not, If you have let us know and we will come and collect them, doesn’t matter if it’s one or ten. Please contact Amanda on 01934 41090.

We are celebrating Volunteers Week this year with a Volunteers Recruitment Fair, here at the Badger Centre on 4th June between 10am and 4pm, where you can come along and meet some local voluntary organisations to find out what volunteering opportunities they have. A chance to find out the answers to any questions you have about volunteering and also find out what volunteering can do for you.

On the 6th June we are holding a Beach Clean meeting at the entrance to be beach behind the old hospital, meeting at 11am, please bring sturdy footware, protective gloves and lunch for a picnic on the beach afterwards.

For more on these events please contact Amanda Deere on 01934 410190

The next Children’s, Youth and Parenting Organisations’ network meeting will be on: Tuesday 29 April, 10am - 12 noon, at the Old School Rooms Congresbury on how to ensure participation by children / youth / parents in the design of services offered by voluntary groups.

Jane Barber, Senior Participation Practitioner from Barnardos will be leading on this subject.
There will also be opportunities for you to share news and network with others at this free event.

Anyone working in voluntary sector services for children who would like to join the network and attend this meeting is welcome to contact Sally Buddle know by email

Our new website goes live today, thanks to Cheap Web Hosting, a UK-based company that offers free website hosting for charities and voluntary sector organisations.  It’s early days yet but so far the people at Cheap Web Hosting have been very helpful, and the company’s services are proving easy to use and reliable.

The new website looks a bit different from the old one but will have the same mix of news and advice covering volunteering opportunities, funding advice, training, help and support for groups, and our work in promoting and representing the voluntary and community sector in North Somerset.