Volunteer Chesham is a Mayoral event to bring potential volunteers and voluntary organisations together all under one roof. The last event took place in 2018 and it is hoped that it will return in 2022. Our town is blessed with a large number of voluntary organisations, charities and community organisations, all of whom quietly go about their business helping people, working to improve the town and enriching lives with community events. These organisations attended the most recent event and would welcome new volunteers:
Alzheimer’s Society
www.alzheimers.org.uk
The leading UK care and research charity for people with Alzheimer's and other dementias, their families and carers.
Tel: 01296 331 722
Email: aylesbury@alzheimers.org.uk
Birchwood
Fullers Close, Chesham, HP5 1DP
Birchwood is a residential care home for disabled adults with a range of impairments and learning difficulties.
www.salutemhealthcareltd.com
Tel: 01494 794112
Bras For Africa
www.facebook.com/groups/2041823832710949/about/
A local appeal for unwanted bras that will be repaired and sent out to impoverished communities in Africa.
Bucks Adult Learning
www.adultlearningbcc.ac.uk/
Providing inclusive learning opportunities that promote well-being and inspire people living or working in Buckinghamshire to achieve their potential.
Tel: 01296 382403
studentenquiries@buckscc.gov.uk
Bucks MIND
www.bucksmind.org.uk
An independent charity working to support and represent people with mental health needs in the local community, through providing services that include activity groups and peer support, older people's services, befriending and employment support.
Tel: 01494 792244
Cancer Research
www.cancerresearchuk.org/get-involved/find-a-shop/chesham/strong>
The Chesham shop sells a variety of clothes, homeware, books and CDs/DVDs to help raise funds to research cures for cancers.
Tel: 01494 785835
Carers Bucks
www.carersbucks.org/
An independent charity to support unpaid, family carers in Bucks. They support carers of all ages and in different caring roles, including young carers, parents of children with a disability, older carers, carers from the bme community and those looking after someone with mental health problems.
Tel: 0300 777 2722
Email: mail@carersbucks.org
Chesham and Amersham MS Society
www.mssociety.org.uk/care-and-support/local-support/local-groups/amersham-chesham-group#
The local MS Society branch run by volunteers to offer emotional and practical support, as well as information and social events.
Tel: 01494 775119
Chesham Community Fridge
www.facebook.com/groups/203080586937487
Making good, surplus food available free of charge to avoid scandalous waste. All are invited to come and collect food that would otherwise be dumped.
Chesham Environmental Group
www.cheshamenvironmentalgroup.org.uk/
An active voluntary group caring for the environment of Chesham. Working parties are held monthly to pick litter, manage vegetation and care for Chesham's habitats, including the River Chess.
Tel: Phil Folly on 01494 783691
Chesham Repair Cafe
sustainablechesham.org.uk
The Chesham Repair Cafe is a volunteer-led community repair service running once a month at the Bagnall Project in Chesham. We aim to reduce waste going to landfill by giving a new lease of life to household items - from electrics to sewing, carpentry to leather. We are always on the lookout for budding repairers, organisers, or bakers to help support the Cafe! Our Facebook and Instagram pages give up to date information on upcoming dates and repair services available.
Email: repaircafe@sustainablechesham.org.uk
Chesham Vale Gardeners' Society
Formed in 2019 the Chesham Vale Gardeners’ Society is a merger of Bellingdon and Ashridge Horticultural Society and Chesham Horticultural Society. Affiliated to the RHS, it’s aims are to provide a focus for local residents for horticulture and associated activity, by fostering a keen interest in good gardening practice and an appreciation of plants and garden design. Membership is only £2 a year per household.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/508594863597197/
Chesham In Bloom
www.chesham.gov.uk/Chesham_in_Bloom.aspx
Chesham in Bloom is an amazing and fun volunteer campaign to improve the way that Chesham looks and how people feel about their town. Flowers are important, but there is so much more to Chesham in Bloom and you don't have to have green fingers to make a difference!
Email: policy@chesham.gov.uk
Tel: 01494 583798
Chesham Rotary
www.cheshamrotary.co.uk
Rotary is for communities. Many members say they join Rotary because it gives them a chance to give something back to their community. There are 1.2 million members of Rotary worldwide in 34,000 clubs in more then 200 countries. Rotarians are working to End Polio worldwide and we are very close to achieving that goal. Closer to home, in Chesham we complete a number of projects each year. For example we run a Stroke awareness day and run the Santa Sleigh at Christmas that raises money for fifteen charities.
Email: Secretary@Chesham.rotary1260.org
Chesham Scouts (Chiltern North)
bucks-scouts.org.uk/
Scouting is part of the local community. It is for all young people, male and female, and from all cultures and faiths. The activities are all provided by volunteers.
Tel: 0845 094 5526
Email: chesham1.scouts@ntlworld.com
Chesham Society
www.cheshamsociety.org.uk/
The local amenity Society for Chesham town and the surrounding parishes of Chartridge, Cholesbury-cum-St Leonards, Ashley Green, Latimer and Chesham Bois. We are a voluntary group of people who care for the Chesham area.
Email: enquiries@cheshamsociety.org.uk
Chesham Theatre Company
www.cheshamtheatrecompany.org.uk
A registered charity affiliated to the National Operatic and Dramatic Association. The company mounts three productions a year, runs murder mystery events and holds social events.
Email: secretary@cheshamtheatrecompany.org.uk
Chesham4Fairtrade
www.fairtradechesham.org.uk
Works to maintain the Fairtrade Town status of Chesham by raising public awareness of the benefits to poor majority world producers of the Fairtrade label and by encouraging people in Chesham to sell, serve and buy goods bearing the Fairtrade label.
Tel: 01494 583798
Email: policy@chesham.gov.uk
Citizens Advice Bucks
https://citizensadvicebucks.org.uk/
Citizens Advice Chiltern provides free, independent and confidential advice to people living or working in the Chiltern area. Citizens Advice Chiltern is an independent charity, relying on individuals and organisations for funding. Our aims are to provide the advice people need for the problems they face, and improve the policies and practices that affect people’s lives.
Tel: 01494 545991
Chiltern Cats Protection
www.cats.org.uk/chiltern
The local branch of cats protection rescues and rehomes cats and kittens, works to help feral cat colonies and provides neutering vouchers to help cat owners on low incomes. Volunteering opportunities include working with the welfare team, helping with fundraising and fostering cats and kittens.
Email: enquiries@chiltern.cats.org.uk
Tel: 0345 260 2396
Chiltern Society
www.chilternsociety.org.uk/
A registered charity that seeks to maintain the uniqueness of the Chilterns, in the face of growing pressures. Seeks to promote high standards in planning and architecture, to help conserve and improve footpaths, rivers, areas of tranquility, heritage buildings and landscapes, encourage people to learn about the area's heritage and character, and encourage people of all ages to enjoy and care for the natural environment.
office@chilternsociety.org.uk
Tel: 01494 771250
Chiltern Toy Bank
chilterntoybank.org/
Helping families in the Chilterns so that all children can receive a present at Christmas. info@chilterntoybank.org
Tel: 07950 905707
Chiltern Voice
www.chilternvoice.fm/
Chiltern Voice is a not-for-profit community radio platform. Whilst the station can be listened to and enjoyed by everyone, the focus for the station is to help promote local charities and voluntary groups within the Chilterns. The Station is run and presented solely by volunteers.
Tel: 01494 853381
Email: info@chilternvoice.fm
Christmas in Chesham
www.chesham.gov.uk/CiC.aspx
A group of volunteers who organise the town's Christmas Lights Switch On event, which takes place on the last Friday in November each year. This fun event, with charity and market stalls, late-night shopping, fairground rides and entertainment takes a lot of organising! The group are looking for help with publicity, talking to the local shops and organising entertainment amongst other tasks.
Email: admin@christmasinchesham.org
Community Impact Bucks
www.communityimpactbucks.org.uk/
The nationally accredited Volunteer Centre for Buckinghamshire. Supporting charities, community groups and volunteering.
Tel: 0300 111 250
Email: info@communityimpactbucks.org.uk
The Elgiva
www.elgiva.com
The town's theatre and cinema hosts a wide-ranging programme of professional and amateur productions, plus digital cinema and live-screenings. The Elgiva benefits from a strong core of volunteers.
Tel: 582900
Friends of Chesham Cemetery
www.chesham.gov.uk/Friends/Friends_of_Chesham_Cemetery.aspx
A group for people interested in the heritage and maintenance of Chesham's cemetery, which has been open since 1858. Includes practical working parties, historical research, holding open days and guided tours.
Tel: 01494 774842
Email: admin@chesham.gov.uk
Girlguiding Chesham Vale
www.girlguiding.org.uk/interested
We empower girls, to be their best and face the challenges of growing up today. No matter what their background or ability. We’ve been doing that through adventure, friendship and fun for over 100 years. Our volunteering opportunities can fit around your skills, commitments and interests. You don't need to have been involved in guiding before to make a big difference and find a role that's perfect for you. If you aren’t able to volunteer on a regular basis, you can still make an impact in a supporting role. No commitment is too small - every role is vital to running our charity.
Tel: 0800 169 5901
Oxfam
www.oxfam.org.uk/shop/local-shops/oxfam-shop-chesham
The Chesham Oxfam shop sells a range of donated clothes and accessories, books and homewares, plus a range of Fairtrade food and a selection of greetings cards. Oxfam is a global movement of millions of people who believe that poverty is not inevitable.
Tel: 775248
Email: oxfamshopf3511@oxfam.org.uk
Pond Park Street Association
The PPSA brings together local residents who want to make their community stonger, friendlier and more supportive. It provides a directory of services to offer local support, as well as targeting hidden crimes and scams and tackling vulnerabilities like loneliness and isolation.
Email: communities@buckscc.gov.uk
Rennie Grove Hospice Care
www.renniegrove.org
The Rennie Grove shop is Chesham fundraises for the hospice, which provides care and support for adults and children diagnosed with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses and their families.
Tel: 01442 890222
Email: info@renniegrove.org
River Chess Association
www.riverchessassociation.org
A voluntary organisation that seeks to protect and enhance the River Chess, an internationally rare chalk stream, along its entire length from Chesham to Rickmansworth. Involves both lobbying and practical conservation & monitoring of river health.
Email: secretary@riverchessassociation.co.uk
Sue Ryder
www.sueryder.org
The local shop sells a range of donated and new goods to support the work of this charity which provides hospice and neurological care for people facing life-changing diagnoses.
Tel: 01494 786684
Email: chesham2186@sueryder.org
The Theatre Shed
https://thetheatreshed.co.uk/
The Theatre Shed is a place where young people from every walk of life, background and ability come together to use the power of drama, music and dance to have fun, build confidence and develop their creativity. Neither ‘mainstream’ nor ‘disability’, our inclusivity offers an inspiring alternative theatre made up of an all-encompassing cross section of the community. We believe that theatre should be for everyone regardless of personal circumstances or background. There are no auditions – everyone has a part to play. Just come along, have great fun and make new friends at the same time.
Voices and Choices
voicesandchoices.org.uk/
Voices and Choices is a Community Interest Company based in Amersham. It is currently being set up to provide information and advice to help people living alone to remain in their homes with the help and support of community services and other agencies. It will also provide reassurance to family carers living outside Buckinghamshire.
Tel: 07872 600565
Workaid
www.workaid.org/
Workaid is committed to tackling poverty in a practical way by helping disadvantaged people in East Africa, and in the UK, to help themselves through practical skills training. Unwanted tools and equipment are collected from all over the UK and refurbished by a team of dedicated volunteers at the Workaid workshop. The refurbished tools are then sent to vocational training projects where they help vulnerable and disadvantaged people to learn trade skills and start their own businesses.
Tel: 01494 775220
Email: admin@workaid.org