Page 28 - link magazine

28 The Link Magazine • December 1999
Please think safety in winter weather, A new kind of volunteering
at Christmas and for New Year parties offers a different experience
Winter is upon us now and some extra precautions need to be taken
to keep us safe, writes Firefighter Ian Jury. Millennium Volunteers team member Giles Aspinall writes
During the last month Westlea of all parties and a never to be
Fire Station attended 25 road traf- forgotten experience. If organis-
fic accidents, many of them seri- ing street events, please bear in
ous. Please remember to take ex- mind a couple of safety points. If
tra care when driving in poor you are using fireworks, remem-
weather conditions. Make sure ber the firework code and that al-
your vehicle is fully prepared for cohol and fireworks don't mix.
winter by taking advantage of the All the emergency services will
free winter check-up offered by be giving full cover over the New
many garages. Year period, with extra staff on
The festive season is just around duty. We will still require access
the corner and we are all thinking in case of emergencies, so please
about bringing out the decorations leave room when parking your
once again. Please make sure that vehicles in the street or holding
any electrical ones are in good parties in your close.
working order. Especially check All the firefighters at Westlea
the Christmas lights for bare wires, would like to thank everyone who
blown bulbs and incorrect fuses. has supported us since the station
If you are buying new lights, was built back in 1989. We also
The MV team with Swindon South MP at the project launch in early October.
make sure they have the British wish you all a merry Christmas
From left, Sarah Codd of Swindon Volunteers, Simon Smith, operations
kite mark and BS number on them. and a happy and safe start to the manager, Giles Aspinall, programming officer, Helen Smithers, youth work
Candles do make attractive deco- new century. coordinator
rations but they can also lead to
devastating fires. Make sure they Last month saw the launch of out having to worry about fund-
are placed in sturdy holders away Millennium Volunteers, a national ing, safety or their equipment.
from curtains and out of reach of scheme that could change the face Millennium Volunteers is based
children. Decorations near can- of the voluntary sector. Swindon on the principal that volunteers
dles and fireplaces should be fire Centre on Friday 17 Decefnt and North Wiltshire are among can expect something in return for
retardant. in aid of the Mammotome the first areas to benefit. their efforts; a volunteer will leave
The beginning of the new Mil- appeal for the Swindon Run from the centre of Swin- the programme not only secure in
lennium promises to be the party Breast Cancer Unit don, the local Millennium Volun- the knowledge of a job well done,
teers team are armed with Gov- but also with their ambitions met
ernment money and have already and a list of new skills.
started an active volunteer pro- If you are between the ages of 16
gramme - a programme which is and 24, regardless of your state of
different from any other. employment, your amount of free
Millennium Volunteers looks at time, criminal record, transport
voluntary work from a unique per- needs etc., Millennium Volunteers
DUNCAN spective: volunteers are not asked has something for you. The team
DUNCAN CAR SPARES to adapt their skills to other peo- can help you achieve a wide vari-
SELF DRIVE HIRE ple's projects, they are encouraged
COMPREHENSIVE STOCKS OF ety of goals and in return for work
GUARANTEED NEW & USED SPARES 'hoax 4ocal e ctaC C f o.wjca uy to start schemes of their own. Fur- to benefit your own community,
thermore the Millennium Volun- Millennium Volunteers offers
MOT FAILURES & ACCIDENT DAMAGED Vehicles for Hire at Competitive Rates
CARS & COMMERCIALS Cars • Vans • Lutons • Tail-lifts teers team finds placements for references, certificates and awards;
BOUGHT FOR CASH people which are designed to en- a quality experience with the pa-
272 Ermin Street
PARTS REMOVED BY vM hance their skills and to provide perwork to back it up.
OUR OWN PERSONNEL Stratton St. Margaret, Swindon high quality training. For more information call 430700
Tel: 822193 Volunteers' costs are met, equip- or visit the office at 1 John Street,
ment supplied and insurance is Swindon. It will change the way
FREE PARKING
covered so that participants are you think about volunteering, and
Open Daily 8.30am - 5.30pm free to carry out their work with-
Sundays 8.30am - 9.30a' it just may change your life.
Driver awarded
The efforts of Thamesdown Dial-
A-Ride volunteer driver Betty
Gifford were recognised at the
M.O.T.
annual Whitbread In The Com-
munity Awards presentation
Cars, Motorcycles, Class 7 evening on 1 November.
Betty started driving in a volun-
77 01793 428430 tary capacity in 1992 and is well
known to the elderly and people
More than just your local bus company with disabilities who use a Dial-A-
Ride taxi car as a life-line to get ou t
and about, to do their shopping or
Thamesdown visit friends and family.
She drives four days a week,
/^iles 6 tte, b wiadon arriving at9am and leaving at 5pm.
She has been known to collect pas-
' Betty with passenger Pat Waggott
Corporation Street, Swindon SN1 1 DS sengers at Sam to take them to an
from Toothill airport on route to their holiday.