Calder Future | Get outside and make a SPLASH!
Get outside and make a SPLASH!
SPLASH! That's the name of a new youth volunteering opportunity here in Calderdale – for 16-25 year olds - run by Calder Future. It's about improving the environment around our rivers and canals. There's some fun and exploring to be had; a little hard work as well; and if you take part there's even some MONEY and PRIZES!
BASH! Take on the aliens invading our valley and destroy them utterly. Actually, it's just a plant called Himalayan Balsam that's spreading everywhere, which we go out and 'bash'.
FLASH! Take a photograph of what's great, and not so great (maybe a grotty site that needs improving), and there are prizes to be won - a new digital camera in this summer's competition.
MASH! Then we'll be linking the photos you take to river locations via the latest mapping software (apparently that's a ‘mashup’). You get to plan your own site improvement project, and we'll go out and get a grant for you to make it happen.
TRASH! This is the exciting bit. Some people dump rubbish on a nice site (or maybe it’s just washed downstream), and we clear it up! But you get to see the difference you've made, and maybe order the adult volunteers about.
SPLASH! There are opportunities for leisure training – canoeing, fishing and mountain biking – and as one of the ‘rewards’ for participation.
CASH! Yes, you get PAID your expenses for taking part, and there are PRIZES to be won if you're part of the regular SPLASH! team!
WHAT YOU GET! Some healthy outdoor exercise; new skills (photography/ computers/organising); the opportunity to plan and decide about an entire environmental improvement project. And then there’s the MONEY and the PRIZES!
NOT QUITE SURE? Why not register (individuals or groups) for an introductory SPLASH! Event, where we tell you all about the project, and your local river or canal.
WANT TO TAKE PART? Just send a message to splash@calderfuture.org.uk Or contact Emma Griffiths/ Gavin Roberts: 01422 316661
The SPLASH! ‘Offer’ to Partners
We want SPLASH! to work for all our Calderdale partners providing services for young people (16-25 years), and benefit all the young people you deal with.
SPLASH! has been funded by v to provide events and opportunities, which means that our budgets might be able to complement your existing activities. To establish how we might work together, here’s our initial ‘offer’ – but we will want to have your views about this package, so that we can adjust it to your particular circumstances.
Outdoor volunteering: we will be organising a number of outdoor environmental improvement events every quarter, in different parts of Calderdale but linked to particular riverside sites, which your youth volunteers can participate in.
Project planning and decision making: Youth volunteers will be able to plan and shape the direction and success of individual improvement projects. We will also be organising a SPLASH! Youth Board to help direct the overall project.
Skills development & Training: There will be opportunities for skills development of various types including [team working, photography, computers, practical conservation, Angling…]
Accreditation: activities can lead to formal accreditation such as ASDAN qualifications and awards as well as Youth Achievement Awards.
Payment of Expenses: We can make an attendance payment to every volunteer and for every event; or we can make a financial contribution to an organisation's funds in respect of their volunteers' participation.
Rewards: We will also reward regular attendance at Splash events by making available leisure opportunities such as canoe/angling training
Volunteer Coordination: All SPLASH! events will be coordinated by our expert staff who also organise events for our mainstream community/ adult/ corporate volunteers.
Health & Safety/ Child Protection: All events will have Health and Safety Risk Assessments carried out to be agreed with yourselves. In addition Calder Future holds the appropriate Safeguarding policies and procedures.
WANT TO TAKE PART? Just send a message to splash@calderfuture.org.uk Or contact Emma Griffiths/ Gavin Roberts: 01422 316661
