‘Detention is dehumanising; it crushes our hearts and our dignity’
SET HER FREE campaign has been shared with us as by members of MK Fawcett Society Group at the recent Refugee Support networking and community event.
Category: Mobilising Communities
Environmental networking event/ meeting
Environmental networking event
Extinction Rebellion MK and Transition Town MK/Doughnut Economics MK, with support from Community Action MK, are holding an environmental/climate change networking/ planning meeting for groups in Milton Keynes, Beds and Luton – on Saturday 9th July at The Old Bath House in Wolverton 3-5pm!
The aim of this collaborative initiative is to provide a regular space for groups related to local action on climate – to inform and inspire each other, identify common goals and shared causes, and generate joint initiatives.
The aim of this initial meeting on the 9th July is to build a planning team in order to organise (co-produce!) a bigger event in September
Volunteering with Alina Orchestra
Alina Orchestra is a new professional orchestra that wants to make classical music accessible and inclusive for everyone in the community, and they are currently recruiting for the following roles:
Front of House Assistant
The orchestra performs a number of events across Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire. With the
demand increasing for tickets, programmes and drinks, the orchestra are seeking someone (possibly two people) to help support their Front of House operations. As a FOH assistant, we would ask that you support ticket sales (including pre-booked tickets), concert programme sales and possibly serve drinks at venues where there is no bar provided.
No musical experience needed, but this is a customer service role, so communication skills, and a
customer-friendly attitude most definitely required. Must have own transport.
Website Updates
As the orchestra develops, we require the right person to help update our new website. The
orchestra is in the final stages of creating a new website which reflects the orchestra’s dynamic and
professional events and with that, we require someone to update the new website with new concert
details, new outreach events and help communicate all event details to website visitors.
This role is working from home and will require 3-4 hours a month of your time. Previous experience in websites and a good standard of written English very desirable.
For more information, contact Chief Executive, Nick Cutts nick@alinaorchestra.com
Guest Blog: ROQ Raw Radio
Today’s guest blog comes from ROQ Raw Radio, who are in search of both volunteers and studio space. Read on for more details on getting involved in this innovative MK project:
ROQ Raw Radio (Asian Community Radio Station) was founded December 2020 during the
covid pandemic. With a background in working for commercial Asian radio in London Jessica
Memon, felt that there was a gap in the Asian radio market. And wanted to use her skills to
bring a radio platform to Milton Keynes.
The station is based remotely in Milton Keynes but transmitted across the world via the
website and app. We are currently in search of a studio space to make our mark in MK!
ROQ Raw Radio was set up with passion and dedication to being able to provide great
music, interviews, and information to new audiences. In a market where there are a major
key Asian Radio stations, we are proud to be providing good quality real radio (currently
with no advertising).
The station is getting ready to go live on DAB in Milton Keynes later this year. Although a
radio we are looking at focusing its output to address the growing Asian community allowing
them to not only have a platform to air their views but also them a voice and a sense of
community engagement.
In preparation we are working with volunteers who have an interest in being a part of our
journey. Currently we have just finished Season 1 of Dreams to Reality show where our presenter
works with young people to develop their interviewing and researching skills. The show
focuses on conversations with inspiring individuals that have excelled in their careers from
Missile scientists to badminton players. Our next season will develop their skills to look at
editing and radio technicalities.
The radio is working with individuals that have never worked in radio before to help develop
a variety of skills that they would not normally gain. Our target is to work with young
people, women and incorporate music and mental health and wellbeing within any training
we provide.
We hope to encourage some new budding presenters!
Community will be the core of our programming. As the community has grows, we will
develop alongside it, very much adapting to the demands and changes in Milton Keynes.
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service
As part of Volunteers’ Week, we’re raising awareness of the King’s Award for Voluntary Service , which celebrates the outstanding work of volunteer groups across the UK.
Created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and previously known as The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS), the Award has been shining a light on the fantastic work of voluntary groups from all across the UK for many years.
Equivalent to an MBE, KAVS is the highest Award given to local voluntary groups in the UK, and they are awarded for life.
MK Recipients of the QAVS Award
Wolverton Secret Garden Society MK
Love in Action MK Ltd
MK Food bank
Milton Keynes Islamic Arts & Culture Organisation
Milton Keynes Museum Volunteers
Old Bath House and Community Centre – Wolverton
The Stablemates MK – (Stables Theatre)
Bosom Pals MK
Marshall Milton Keynes Athletic Club
Olney Rugby Football Club MK
MK Snap
Cowper and Newton Museum Volunteers
The Brooklands Centre, Milton Keynes
DREAMSAI
Milton Keynes Centre for Integrated Living
Nominations for the 2024 award opened on the 1st June 2023, with the full timeline of the awards process found here. Nominations close on the 15 September.
If you’d like to nominate any of the fantastic volunteer-involving organisations from across the city, you can find all the details here!
Refugee Community Event – 28 June 23!
Networking event: with focus on Support to local refugee communities in Milton Keynes
Thank you to everyone that attended our event – it was fantastic to see you and to come together to share experiences and ideas about how we can all work together to support our local refugee communities in Milton Keynes! We will be updating this blog with information, resources and photographs from the event soon. A sneak peak to a few photographs here:
What was the event…
In collaboration with Eden Project Communities as part of their Month of Community and with support from a number of local VCSE organisations, Community Action: MK is delighted to host a special networking and community event dedicated to the Refugee Community. The event will be on Wednesday 28th June, hosted at the wonderful space at the YMCA in Central Milton Keynes. The aim is to bring together the local Voluntary sector and identify how best to connect with and support our refugee communities in Milton Keynes.
The event will feature presentations from local organisations that have been working closely with and providing support to our local refugee communities in Milton Keynes, including those from Afghanistan and Ukraine. We are delighted to be joined by the Ukraine Appeal charity, who have been galvanising support for the local Ukrainian community in the City, and from the Volunteers at The Mead Centre in Newport Pagnell, who have been supporting the Afghan women and their families staying in one of the local holding hotels in Milton Keynes. We will also be joined by a local/regional team from the British Red Cross, who have been a life-line for many refugee and asylum seekers coming to our region to seek safety and support.
They will be sharing their first hand experiences of providing support to those that seek sanctuary in Milton Keynes and will support some of the refugee community members to talk at the event and share their lived experience stories too.
We know that there are many more local voluntary organisations (as well public and health sector agencies) that have been providing services and activities tailored to meeting the needs of our local refugee communities. We hope to shine the light on their work too as well as enable networking and collaboration within the wider VCSE sector and other sectors in the City.
There will be a workshop and a discussion of how our local VCSE sector and other key agencies can work together in a joined up way to provide the best possible support to our local refugee communities and give them the chance to rebuild their lives, share their culture and enable them to thrive in our City.
There will also be the opportunity for the local refugee community members to join us on the day and engage with the local charities and services to find out about their services and volunteering opportunities etc.
And finally, a very special part of the event will be delivered by the local charity, Middle Eastern Cultural Group, and their special live performance of the “Broken Wings“play.
Based on real life experiences, the performance follows the journey of a teenage girl fleeing conflict and eventually arriving in the UK. Drawing attention to the trauma refugee children have experienced through their journeys and the challenges they face in their new life in the UK.
More details about the event and its programme will be updated in this blog and through our newsletter, and social media.
You can follow us on @ComactMK/ facebook.com/CommunityActionMK.
We hope to see you there!
A week on before the event, there will also be a gathering at MK Rose – on Thursday 20th June at World Refugee Day. Find out more here.
Volunteering at the Event
If you’re interested in volunteering at this event, we’re seeking volunteer translators in Ukrainian/ Farsi/ Dari or Pashto.
Or are you a keen photographer? We’re also in need of someone to capture this special event!
Please email volunteering@communityactionmk.org for more details.
Volunteers Week 1 – 7 June 2023
Today is the start of Volunteers Week! Across MK, charities and groups will be celebrating the huge impact volunteers have, and thanking them for their time and dedication.
Why is Volunteering Important?
Volunteering builds stronger, more connected communities. Volunteers can also benefit from forming friendships, gaining skills, and attaining work experience.
Being a volunteer can improve your wellbeing, and can be a source of fulfilment and fun!
I’d like to find a volunteer role, how can I do this?
1. Sign up to Do.It, a free-to-join volunteering platform
Search a wide range of volunteer opportunities, and get in touch directly with volunteer managers and coordinators. Sign up here.
2.Book a virtual 1-2-1 session on volunteering
Talk to our Volunteering Coordinator about finding a volunteer role that’s right for you.
You can do this by emailing volunteering@communityactionmk.org
3.Check out our volunteering map of MK
Click here to start exploring.
4.Join our Facebook Group, Volunteer MK
Click here to join the community and see the latest posts.
I work with volunteers, how can I get involved?
You can start by browsing ideas here.
If you’re sharing a message of thanks to your volunteers or pictures of your awards ceremonies or thank you gatherings on social media, use #VolunteersWeek and #Volunteer MK or tag us @ComActMK, and we’ll share your posts on the 5 and 6 June.
You can also send a Thank You message to be displayed on the 7 June at the Volunteers’ Week Pillar at MK Rose, Campbell Park.
Email over 2 or 3 sentences of thanks to your volunteers: volunteering@communityactionmk.org