Revamped Volunteering Scheme Launches in the Vale

Value in the Vale, formerly Vale Time-Banking scheme, provides Vale residents with opportunities to volunteer for local organisations and rewards them for their time. 

A new website was launched earlier this month which is a one-stop shop for volunteers and partner organisations.

It provides details of volunteering opportunities, allows organisations to recruit volunteers and gives people who’ve spent time volunteering the option to exchange rewards. 

Rewards can be anything from a cup of coffee and a slice of cake to a beauty treatment or a parcel of toiletries. One hour of their time entitles users to one reward, with a cap of 10 rewards per month. 

The project has been led by Lianne Young, a Digital Engagement and Volunteering Officer working in Housing Services. Lianne started working on the project in June this year and has achieved a huge amount in a very short time.  

To establish Value in the Vale Lianne has worked with Public Health Wales, who’ve funded the project, as well as engaging with existing volunteers and recruiting partner organisations who offer volunteering opportunities or rewards. 

Lianne wanted to give kudos to Mark Ellis, her colleague in Housing services who established the former Time-Banking scheme. Speaking about the project recently Lianne said,

“Time-Banking really gave us the foundation to establish Value in the Vale. We wouldn’t be where we are without it. But the feedback from existing volunteers was the rewards offered through Tempo were not always relevant or accessible to them. The difference between Value in the Vale and the former Time-Banking scheme is that this is a circular economy. All the volunteering opportunities and rewards are with organisations who are based in the Vale of Glamorgan.”

The team behind Value in the Vale have also partnered with Vale Courses to give volunteers the option to undertake an accredited training course. The first course is already fully booked. One participant, Kimberley, spoke about how she became involved with Value in the Vale.

“I first met Lianne in July, we chatted briefly about the future and she asked what I would like to do. I said maybe some volunteer work or training. At the time, I had no real goals or direction. Within a week, Lianne got back to me with an opportunity to help with litter picking at Fonmon Castle, which quickly opened the door for another opportunity to work with the organisation who provide outdoor activities there.

“I knew immediately that Lianne was an extremely encouraging and motivating person. I felt like she had taken me under her wing and recognised my potential and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities she found because they have done so much for my confidence and self-esteem.”

Lianne added, “Because the project has been funded by Public Health Wales it’s important that the benefits to volunteers are broader than rewarding them for their time. Volunteering is a holistic experience that can also be beneficial to health, wellbeing, reducing social isolation and improving skills.”

Farida Aslam, Senior Neighbourhood Manager, said “I’m really proud of the work that Lianne has done to establish Value in the Vale in such a short time. Although the Time-Banking scheme was a great success, the rewards offered through Tempo were national and limited and therefore not always accessible to volunteers based here in the Vale. Based on feedback from existing volunteers we’ve partnered with some fantastic local businesses to provide volunteering opportunities and rewards that are right on our doorstep. This scheme is also open to the public so anyone can get involved.”

To find out more please visit www.valueinthevale.com