Meet the team

matt meaney

Matt Meaney
Development Officer
Volunteer Centre Bebington
volunteerinfobebington@freenet.co.uk

I'm Matt Meaney and I'm the Development Officer at Volunteer Centre Bebington. My volunteering career started when I was studying for my Physics degree at Aberystwyth University. I became

involved with "dim prob" - Aberystwyth's Student Volunteering group leading two projects, one working in DIY and Gardening and the other working with disabled people. During my second year I became Vice Chair of "dim prob" and later the Chair of SVLinkWales, the Wales National Student Volunteering body. By the middle of my three year degree I had been involved in a variety of volunteering and community projects including appearing on Robot Wars with a community science project. Although I completed my degree I decided to follow a career in the voluntary sector rather than science.

After University I worked as a fundraiser and then in industrial research and development. I have been working for Bebington CVS for just over a year and in my spare time I volunteer on a regular basis. At present I help at a local social group for adults with learning disabilities, at an inclusive youth club and I am involved in a number of other local projects.

Zel Rodgers
Administrative Officer
Volunteer Centre Hoylake & District
zel@hoylakecvs.org.uk

I grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa and came to the UK in 1993 with my husband who I met travelling in the Med during my Gap year. I joined the Volunteer Centre in April 2004, a complete

newcomer to the voluntary sector as a paid member of staff, although I have been a volunteer in some way or another throughout my adult life.

I began by helping as cub leader in my teens, moving on to volunteer as a teacher for Streetwise (a homelessness charity for Zulu boys). After moving to the UK I got involved in befriending young people in London, then worked in our local cancer research charity shop and I'm now assisting at my son's Beaver Scout Group. Funny how things come full circle!

Michelle Thomason
V Project
Volunteer Centre Wirral
mthomason@cbed.org.uk

I started volunteering as a classroom assistant whilst studying for my A levels at Birkenhead Sixth Form college. From here I went to

Chester University to study English Literature and Sports Science and in my spare time became a volunteer for a loca children's football team. I have also been a volunteer youth worker which became a part-time paid job. Career-wide I have been a tutor at a local Sixth Form College teaching A level English and have also worked in sales.

I became Outreach and Development Officer in September 2005 and have never looked back. I currently run the Volunteer Centres in Heswall and Wallasey, dividing my time between the two. I have a special interest in Sports Volunteering and have just launched a new Sports Award, which allows volunteers to gain specific accreditation for all their hard work.

Angela Green
Manager
Volunteer Centre Wirral
angela@wirralcvs.org.uk

I have been an enthusiastic volunteer since a teenager, helping with school camps, playgroups, the Women's Refuge, CAB and many more.

I have been working in the voluntary sector for 17 years and have seen the Volunteer Centre grow and develop from one person struggling to provide a service, into a member if a strong and dynamic network of Volunteer Centres in Wirral. I have worked at a regional and national level to raise the profile of volunteering and was responsible for the introduction in Wirral of four Volunteer Recognition Schemes.

I deliver training on Good Practice for organisations who work with volunteers and work with organisations to help develop their Volunteer Policy.

matt meaney

Carol FitzPatrick
Admin Assistant
Volunteer Centre Wirral
carol@wirralcvs.org.uk

Hello, I'm Carol and I am the new Admin Assistant at the volunteer Centre at Wirral CVS. It is likely that if you call the volunteer centre I will take your call.

Most recently I have worked within the customer care field, so I am pleased to be now working on a daily basis with volunteers and potential volunteers. I will also be assisting with the new Aspire Project and the Learning Guides Co-ordinators. Having been a volunteer I have been pleased to work with voluntary services on the wirral including, most recently, the volunteer of the year event - which was a hugely successful event at the Pacific Road Theatre in Birkenhead, honoring those who give so freely of their time on a daily basis.

I look forward to working with the staff of Wirral CVS in my support role, helping to raise the profile of this valuable service within the community.

Sandra Riley
Learning Guide Coordinatorr
Volunteer Centre Wirral
sandra@wirralcvs.org.uk

Sandra's Profile is under preparation and will be posted soon

Tim Young
Youth Volunteer
Volunteer Centre Wirral
tim@wirralcvs.org.uk

Tim's Profile is under preparation and will be posted soon