Sallie Hobbs appointed as Volunteer Development Officer with Welsh Government funding for volunteering in Wales.

Sallie Hobbs has been newly appointed as Sandy Bear’s Volunteer Development Officer following successful funding with the WCVA’s. Sallie has joined the charity at an exciting time whereby volunteer recruitment and engagement is key for Sandy Bear as they continue to grow their services across Wales.

Sallie brings with her experience of working in both the private and public sector, including campaign organisation, press and marketing. Sallie feels passionately about volunteers, having always been a volunteer in some capacity over the years. Most of her volunteering has been centred around children and young people and she understands the important role that volunteers play within third sector organisations.

The Volunteer Development Officer role has been funded by the Welsh Government’s Volunteering Wales Main Grant Scheme, administered by WCVA within their third round of funding. The aim of the grant is to increase volunteer engagement and satisfaction, to support the creating and development of high quality and positive volunteer opportunities in Wales and to embed volunteering in organisations’ practices and culture. Sandy Bear Children’s Bereavement Charity have been awarded this funding for 12 months with the vision to recruit volunteers in a range of roles, including direct family support, fundraising and youth ambassadors, to support the ongoing development of the charity.

Sallie, Volunteer Development Officer says, “I am really excited to have joined Sandy Bear and getting to know all the amazing volunteers. I am looking forward to helping the team develop new volunteering projects across Wales, to help support bereaved children, young people and their families.”

Lilla Farkas, Grants Officer from the WCVA says, “The Welsh Government funded Volunteering Wales Main Grant aims to improve volunteering practices in Wales, and we are looking forward to learning about the impact Sallie makes at Sandy Bear.”

About The WCVA Volunteering Wales Main Grant

Volunteering Wales Main Grant is a scheme funded by the Welsh Government to promote and improve volunteering in Wales. The scheme is administered by WCVA (Wales Council for Voluntary Action).

The aims of the scheme are:

• Increase volunteer engagement and satisfaction by removing barriers to volunteering for people of all ages and from all parts of society.
• Support the creation and development of high quality and positive volunteering opportunities in Wales.
• Promote changes in beneficiary organisations to embed volunteering into their working practices and culture eg obtaining the Investing in Volunteers Award.