MEMBER ZONE MEMBERPROFILE
NAME: Kelly Israel COMPANY: Volunteering Matters JOB TITLE: Volunteer manager
WHAT’S YOUR BACKGROUND? I joined Volunteering Matters in 2018, prior to this I worked at The University of Northampton as a volunteer coordinator.
WHAT DOES YOUR ORGANISATION DO? Volunteering Matters is a national charity working with communities and statutory organisations to meet social needs in their localities. In Milton Keynes we deliver Grandmentors, an award-winning intergenerational mentoring project for care leavers, matching them with volunteers aged 50+ to enable young people to develop resilience thus aiding transition to independent living. We also deliver two Community Car Services.
HOW DID IT ALL START? Grandmentors in MK started in September 2018 and I’ve developed the project working with local partners and MK Council with the support of the wider Volunteering Matters organisation.
WHAT’S YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR? In the last 12 months we’ve matched 35 Care Leavers with Grandmentors, many from the local business community, seeing significant impact on wellbeing and life prospects for the young people. Seeing the change in the young people is a huge achievement for me.
WHAT’S THE BIGGEST RISK YOU’VE EVER TAKEN – AND DID IT WORK OUT? Taking part in Strictly Come Dancing for charity in Towcester – I’m not good in heels! However, the risk was measured, I knew I would win. And I did!
WHAT HAS SURPRISED YOU MOST IN YOUR JOB? The levels of need and depth of challenges Care Leavers face. Many things we take for granted, visiting the beach, knowing how to cook, managing our finances as well as challenging mental health situations and social dangers, combine to create an astonishing level of need. We all have a collective responsibility to support these young people.
WHAT EXCITING PROJECTS IS YOUR ORGANISATION WORKING ON? We’d like young people to build Milton Keynes and therefore we bring our methodology and engagement to do this through Youth Social Action, enabling Young People to build projects meaningful to them. We’re also developing our offer of Employee Volunteering in Milton Keynes, enabling SME and large multinationals to enhance their CSR and emotional wellbeing of staff.
WHAT MADE YOU JOIN MILTON KEYNES CHAMBER? To work with local business to create integrated solutions in order to create social change leading to a more equitable society. The networking events and endorsement of the Chamber and its members is hugely beneficial.
T: 07936 811892 E:
kelly.israel@
volunteeringmatters.org.uk W:
www.volunteeringmatters.org.uk Twitter: @kelsrael
DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 inbusiness 29 MEMBER BENEFITS
For full details of all the benefits available to chamber members, visit:
www.chambermk.co.uk
AXA PPP HEALTHCARE Chamber membership gives businesses access to Personal Business Assistance and Health at Hand at no additional cost. Sign up to a Chamber Business Healthcare plan and receive up to 50% discount off Chamber membership for three years.
CHAMBER FX Exclusive foreign exchange member package offering free health check, low transfer fees and free account opening. Key benefits include bank-beating exchange rates.
CHAMBER HEALTH PLAN Provided by Westfield Health, Chamber Primary Health Plan can give members cover from just £5.57 per employee, per month.
CHAMBER PROTECTION This includes four services: Chamber HR, Chamber Health & Safety, Chamber Legal and Chamber Tax. They include an advice line covering HR, employment law, legal, health & safety, tax and VAT, legal and health & safety documents and legal expenses insurance cover.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT WESTFIELD HEALTH
Chamber Primary Health Plan delivered by Westfield Health, can give members cover from just £5.57 per employee, per month. Employees will have access to
10 different healthcare benefits and services including a 24 hour advice line and personal accident cover. The Chamber Plan could help
you to reduce long-term absenteeism and related costs, improve recruitment and retention of staff and provide a valuable employee benefit package.
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