How to get involved with Beach Access North East

Volunteering

Beach Access North East is operated entirely by volunteers so we always welcome new volunteers with open arms.

We have a number of volunteer opportunities available throughout the year. With all of them you can volunteer on a regular or ad hoc basis to suit your other commitments.

Although all of our roles are unpaid we can reimburse relevant expenses where travelling is involved.

Beachside rota

To be present at one of our sites, representing BANE and promoting our services. Loaning out equipment to customers who have booked and those who may turn up on the day.

You will be trained in the use of the equipment at the particular site you choose to volunteer at. The volunteer role is to demonstrate use of the equipment; ensure relevant paperwork is completed; clean returned equipment and chat!. Our volunteers are on site to loan out the equipment, they do not push the wheelchairs, or to transfer users.

You can volunteer half or full days or a few hours, on a regular or ad hoc basis to work around your other responsibilities. Availability for rotas is requested on a weekly basis.

Beachside ad hoc appointments

At most of our other sites our equipment is loaned only by a pre booked arrangement. Therefore whenever someone makes a booking request we will contact our pool of volunteers to see who is available. We will do this via a WhatsApp group for volunteers. Once a volunteer confirms availability we confirm the appointment with the customer.

Marketing/public relations

We need volunteers to take our flyers to locations around the region such as cafes, pubs, clinics etc. Pitch up in shopping centres to raise the profile of our service and approach local businesses to support our work.

If you would like to volunteer, please let us know by filling in our contact form and we'll be in touch with you as soon as we can.

Fundraising

We are grateful for all fundraising activities that are carried out on our behalf; to date that has included Great North Run participation, selling of hand made crafts, raffles, dance events, fitness events and many more!

If you have a fundraising idea feel free to get in touch.

Current fundraising activities

In late 2019, in conjunction with Headway Wearside and Sunderland Parent Carer Forum, we put together a successful funding bid to Sunderland's North Area Neighbourhood Fund, securing the funding for a container and beach wheelchairs to be sited at Roker Beach. Then a global pandemic hit and progress was halted. Unfortunately, since the bid was made, costs escalated, leaving the project a shortfall of £13,500.

Thanks to the fantastic support of all individuals, organisations and supporters involved we have already secured £8,500, leaving us still to raise a further £5000. The money will purchase a maintenance free, timber clad container to be sited near to the beach. It will also have the preliminary work completed to allow it to be hooked up to electricity at a later date.

To find out more and donate please visit the Spacehive fundraising page Opens in a new window.

Sponsorship

Our specialist equipment needs to be regularly maintained, repaired and replaced as its use on sand and in the water limits the lifespan. If you are interested in sponsoring a piece of equipment we would be happy discuss options with you, please just get in touch.

Latest survey

No survey currently running. Please feel free to send us any feedback on the website or our services using our contact form.

And finally...

We'd like to say a huge thank you to the following organisations for supporting us with their time, skills or money.