The Support Service for Voluntary & Community Groups in Wiltshire

Praise & Testimonials

"Excellent. Didn't know what to expect but have learnt a lot about how religion is useful in our society. Speakers were very good." Wiltshire Equality Network, April 2012.
"Thank you for your invaluable help this afternoon. It was a great session with very practical advice and I am sure it will help me gain my confidence whilst presenting in the future" - Mary Hardwidge, Community First
"Many thanks for setting up the training course: 'How to Persuade a Funder to Give you Some Money'. I thoroughly enjoyed the course, learnt a lot and even managed some networking" Becky Hatfield, Extended Services (Melksham Area) - January 2012
"Vanessa Wells gave me some fantastic ideas and advice about good practice when working with volunteers. The information was invaluable and has had a very positive influence on my work. I wouldn’t hesitate to go back to the Volunteer Centre Wiltshire if I ever needed more help and guidance. You’ve given me more confidence about working with volunteers. I know where to turn to if I need more advice or information. The Volunteer Centre has already proved to be a very useful resource and I’ll be working closely with them the future, e.g. to promote our volunteering opportunities, to establish best practice etc." Jenny Wilcockson, Wiltshire Online, December 2011.
"I would like to thank you and the other staff members from GROW for your time and dedication re Trowbridge Cluster. I think the objectives of setting up a network of voluntary groups in Trowbridge was well achieved. These groups are now in a position to network with each other and know where to obtain support (ranging from governance to fundraising) through GROW who can also signpost them to other agencies. This has been a learning curve for us all and it has been a pleasure to work with you all. Thank you once again." Maryrose Mantle, Trowbridge Guild. December 2011.
"Thanks for all the help support you have given us over the past year – you’ve done an amazing job of creating a support network for voluntary organisations and I really hope you continue to get funding so you can keep it going." Chris Fegan, Barnardo's, November 2011.
"Thank you for all you do, an amazing organisation" Chippenham Ladies Circle, November 2011.
"When I first picked up a leaflet about Grow at a seminar, I was not sure what kind of help they could give my charity. However, on contacting them and speaking to their very helpful staff, I was very pleased to find that they could help us in all sorts of ways. As a relatively new developing charity we have found it difficult to keep up with all the policies that were needed. Grow had the answer, and were quick to render assistance. Grow also advertised on our behalf for volunteers, and we were surprised how many applications we have had. I would like to thank the staff of Grow for all their help." Hazel Jackson, Hope Nature Centre. October 2011.
"I found the Management Committee pack very well put together, simple and easy to understand, clever images which highlighted the important points of being part of a committee. Thank you. Well done." Rose Young, West Wiltshire Community Club. Sep 2011.
"I found this workshop very informative (Marketing & Promoting Your Organisation), we were encouraged to participate fully throughout. There was also a relaxed informal atmosphere. I would prefer this workshop to be a 1 day event this would be more beneficial to cover this important aspect in more detail." Rose Young, West Wiltshire Community Club. Sep 2011.
"I am very grateful to Vanessa Wells for finding a volunteer to work in the Trowbridge Sea Cadet Unit, in unsocial hours and with no pay. The volunteer is settling in to the job slowly but hopefully will benefit herself from the work experience gained and become an asset to this important activity for underprivileged children. I hope to provide Vanessa with progress reports and to call upon your services again in looking for more volunteer staff, who are essential to the work of the Unit." Alick Moore, Trowbridge Sea Cadet Unit. Sep 2011.
"The meeting on Tuesday was very interesting and I learnt so much. Please pass on my thanks to Rachel." Volunteer Managers' Network meeting 05/07/11. Caroline Bennett, Carer Support Wiltshire.
"I would just like to say the General information you send through in this e bulletin is fantastic, I have found the information invaluable, particularly around the changes in the law. I circulate relevant information out to both colleagues and also to other organizations who are members of SPAN." Lynn Campbell, Single Parent Action Network Jun 2011.
"Thank you for a very enjoyable and information afternoon on Thursday 26th May, at the (Trowbridge) Community Luncheon. Here in Trowbridge there is a huge voluntary sector and, I feel at times, various groups could do with a little more support and assistance. I am convinced that the network run by GROW can only be of benefit to all those helping to run voluntary organisations within the town and wish you every success for the the future" Cllr Nick Blakemore, Trowbridge Town Mayor. May 2011
‘I was very reluctant to attend the pic and mix training /networking session, however I did encouraged by 2 members of staff, the evening turned out to be REALLY USEFUL ON SEVERAL COUNTS. One excellent contact and training for our fundraiser. Our team met the next day to say what they gained from the evening and how we could use this training. We all felt re invigorated and the younger members of staff came up with new ideas and strategies which are really useful’ Very inspiring evening! Toni Dickinson - No Added Sugar Dec 2010
UBS is a national charity that helps those over 65 on low incomes - we are front line. The needs of the older people we help are simple and we find that by asking them How are you? and then is there anything we can do to help? indeed throws up many many issues - but we can say for sure. That just asking them - and offering help and support can mean that we are the only ones that do ask them - some don't speak to anyone for weeks at a time. We have also identified the way that we need to approach the older person - to start to offer them the support and help they need urgently. If we do not have a volunteer near to them in Wiltshire – we contact local organisations who may as an example offer befriending and ask them to provide a service to our beneficiaries. The information that we have received directly from Beth’s bulletin has enabled us to tell our beneficiaries about the support they can have in the local area - that they otherwise may not have known about. Thank You from them and everyone at UBS." Tina Dinch, Head of UBS & Voluntary Services - Dec 10.
"I really appreciate receiving your DEVELOP newsletter. Always interesting and something relevant to my work."Dina La Vardera, Support Worker, Community Day Services, Age Concern Wiltshire. Dec 10.
"Just wanted to say what a great bulletin - well written and so informative - many many thanks
Kindest regards" Chris Pitura, Broughton Gifford Friendship Club. Nov 10.
"I just wished to express our gratitude for all the hard work your team contribute towards volunteering in the Wiltshire. We receive regular emails with volunteer details and you promote our opportunities within the local area. We have recruited a high standard of volunteer following the information you have sent to us and this has led to many people making a difference older people in Wiltshire. The relationship we have has gone a long way to ensuring vital volunteer levels are maintained and I can only thank you on behalf of Age UK Wiltshire for your hard work." Colin Sutton, Age Concern Wiltshire. Nov 10.
"Provided us with more knowledge on a range of topics including personalisation. [GROW] assisted in finding voluntary work for service users." Training course delegate Oct 10.
"Very interesting information recevied from GROW. Dynamic and involved network. I like it!" Training course delegate Oct 10.
"Thank you very much for the information that you sent me. I would most definitely contact you again should I need some help, as I was impressed with the most friendly and helpful service I received from you." Volunteer Oct 10.
"The E Bulletin provides a regular pit stop of information on what’s available and what’s happening at both a local and national level. Everything from training courses to voluntary sector events and HR guidelines. It is easy to scan for articles of interest, items are short enough to read when time is pressed and the E Bulletin is a great resource to just highlight and email to colleagues for further information. Thank you – please keep them coming – they’re always read before the delete button is pressed and sometimes saved just in case...." Gill Murray, Rural Needs Initiative, Oct 10.
"I found my funding advice session with Develop really helpful. It resulted in me having increased knowledge of the local funding environment, increased awareness of suitable funding sources and good links for forming partnerships. Thank you" Dan Lyus, New Highway Development Director. Sep 10.
"Very impressed with the website. Everything from the column style – the information in the middle – the links – the coloured blocks –whets the appetite with just the right amount of info and then links for more information. Just great." Henrietta Cullum-Court Sep 10.
"Open and professional delivery, great presentation skills. Thank you for opportunity to meet others too!" & "Very much enjoyed the course and meeting the other attendees." Diane Wallace and Lisa Pollard of Richmond Fellowship. Hot Topic – Managing Absence and Fit Notes 14/09/10.
"Hi Beth, Just a note to say that I find your newsletter excellent! Thank you very much." Steve Milton, Head of Community Governance, Wiltshire Council. Sep 2010.
"We value your bulletins and the very useful information in them." Angela Pearce, Springboard Opportunity Group. July 2010.
“On a note about the service I have received, I am delighted with the help and advice you have given me. I could not have done a newsletter like this without your input and look forward to further collaborations in the future. Thank you yet again for everything - I will let you know what kind of feedback I receive.” Liz Pusey, Calne & District Fibromyalgia Support Group, June 2010.
"Beth, Just a quick not to say how much I appreciate these bulletins – they are always focused and really useful." John McVerry, Heritage & Community. June 2010.
Regarding the GROW Volunteering Festival: "We're already seeing positive results!" Andrew Day, Salisbury Alzheimer's Society
"Just thought you should know, this is a most interesting bulletin, some very useful stuff for our organisation. Thank you!" Rosemary Macdonald, Chief Executive, The Community Foundation for Wiltshire & Swindon. May 2010.
"Excellent course, great speaker and gave me food for thought" Training Course delegate April, 2010.
Feedback from our Collaborations & Tendering training held on 16th February ‘10 at Devizes Bowls Club: Maurice Clay from ask informed all attendees that the Develop e-bulletin was very useful and informative, he then went on to advise everyone to sign up!