Meet the person who will be helping to roll out new skills programmes for volunteers across Dorset.

Emily Brown has been appointed the new volunteers manager at the charity SafeWise.

Emily, from Dorchester, has a brief to recruit, train and support volunteer visitor guides for school and other visits to SafeWise learning villages in Weymouth and Bournemouth.

She already boasts a good understanding of what’s required in the role after previously signing up as a volunteer with Dorset Advocacy and then progressing to become volunteers manager with the organisation.

Other roles working with people with disabilities and as an Independent Mental Capacity Advocate have helped equip Emily with the personal skills and experience to work effectively with people from all walks of life

She said: “Managing volunteers is a challenging but ultimately rewarding role which I am very passionate about.

“Everyone has their own motivation for becoming a volunteer and what they want to get out of it, but almost everyone will say they are doing it to give something back.

“I am looking forward to meeting my new colleagues and existing volunteers and recruiting the people that will help drive SafeWise forward in coming years.

“Anyone interested in having a chat about the volunteering roles on offer can contact me on 01202 591 330 or email volunteer@safewise.org.”

Emily will spend her time working between SafeWise learning villages in Weymouth, next to the fire station on Radipole Lane, and Bournemouth on Elliott Road, but is also set to recruit and train volunteers in Wiltshire under proposals to build a new facility in Swindon.

SafeWise Chief Executive Rob Hattersley said: “Volunteers are at the heart of what we do at SafeWise so we are extremely delighted to have recruited Emily.

“Emily joins SafeWise at a very exciting time, and the skills and experience she brings to the role will be invaluable as we embrace a new wide-ranging Skills for Life agenda which will make a real difference to the lives of local people.”