Volunteering at Ridgeway Park Children Centre

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ABOUT
US

82 Peel Close,

By Ridgeway Park,

Chingford, E4 6XQ

Tel. 0208 529 3885

People at Ridgeway Park Children Centre image

Volunteer

Emma Evans and her partner live in Chingford.

They have two children, Ashleigh,

ten and Harry who

is five, both of whom attend Wellington Primary School.

Read Emma's

Ridgeway Park volunteering success story below.

Quick Links

Volunteering England

Waltham Forest

Volunteer Centre

Our training and

recruitment page

Give us a ring

on 0208 529

3885

or email us

below

How Ridgeway Park Children Centre helped Emma stop watching daytime TV through getting a new job!

Returning to the workplace after caring for the

family can be daunting. Loss of confidence

and feeling like you’re ‘just a mum’ affects

most people. When Emma’s youngest child,

Harry started school at Wellington Nursery

(now College Gardens Nursery) Emma

supported him by working as a volunteer

at the nursery.

One of the nursery nurses, Satvinder Bhatt (who is now our Family Outreach Worker) told Emma about the opportunity of a job for a daily midday assistant at our centre when it opened in September 2007.

Emma explains what is involved in the job; ‘The role is varied and includes serving food, interacting with the children through encouraging them to try different tastes.

Conversations are important at the table as it makes it a fun time for the children and is an ideal time to teach them table manners.’

Whilst working as a midday assistant, Emma applied for the post to run our café in the mornings from 8.30 until 11.30. Emma enjoys the variety of the role and has recently been involved in a Macmillan Coffee morning, Bring and Buy Sale and Jewelry and Cosmetic Morning.

I used to sit round my friend’s house drinking coffee or watching daytime TV, now I look forward to going to work; I love working here. Every day is never the same, it’s always different. I’ve been given the chance to have an education and a career.

I get to do something with my life and I have gained so much confidence working with my colleagues and parents and children. People here as so friendly, helpful and welcome – they want you to do well.

But I think if you want to do well you have to be willing to work hard and be flexible. To try anything, I’ll put my hand to anything – but I know that I have got the support as there is always someone to help you’.

Emma explains that she is grateful for the opportunities the centre has given her as she has now holds certificates in...

Food and Hygiene
First Aid
Food and Safety Management.

In April Emma will be studying for her NVQ2 Childcare which will enable her to work in a Nursery. Emma did not need to study for a NVQ1 Childcare as she has already gained enough experience through her voluntary and part-time work at the centre.

You can gain experience and access training, by volunteering in...

Our cafe and play groups
Wellington Community Pre-School
College Gardens Nursery
Administration - Outreach Team
Youth Support Team
Health Team

All volunteers are given support to gain qualifications. Through our Job Centre Plus co-ordinator, Annsa Hussain we will be able to help you make a CV and give you job interview practices.

If you are interested, please speak to our office staff and discuss what part of the centre you would like to get involved in.

Mums and Dads both welcome.