My name is Simon Tang and I have been welcomed at Solent Youth Action as an intern for 2 months.

Before SYA, I was studying Real Estate Valuation and Management at the University of the West of England, Bristol.

Throughout my studies I played for the University hockey team and captained the local Saturday Bristol UWE team. I was also part of Association of British and Chinese University Students (ABACUS) society.

Are you interested in Sport and Physical Activity?

Can you spare an hour a week during the day-time?

We are looking for volunteers to support disabled people and help them access sport and physical activity.

As an 'Activity Buddy' you will be supporting and motivating disabled people into getting active. You don't need any qualifications you just need to be friendly and approachable.

Starting this month Solent Youth Action and Catch 22 in partnership with Vinvolved will be holding Volunteering Information drop-ins at Baseline / The Underground in Southampton.

These sessions will give you the opportunity to find out more about volunteering and what Vinvoled offers you such as expenses and accreditation.

You will also be given the opportunity to have one to one’s so that we can help answer your specific questions.

If you would like to attend one or all of the sessions please come along to 135 St Mary Street Southampton on the selected date.

Worried about the prospect of six weeks of boredom this summer? Want to get something on your CV but don't have enough time to commit?

Well fear not - Solent Youth Action has the perfect solution to your problem!

We are running our own summer scheme of taster days each week of the holidays to keep you busy and gain some experience of volunteering.

Nationally recognised certificates are available for your involvement and all travel expenses and lunch will be provided.

Week One: 26th July - 1st August
Sunday 25th July: Pennington Picnic, New Forest
Wednesday 28th July: Pond Building Day, Trinity Centre, Winchester

Week Two: 2nd - 8th August
Wednesday 4th August: National Play Day, Staunton Country Park, Havant

Week Three: 9th -15th August
No Taster Day

Week Four: 16th – 22nd August
Thursday 19th August: Horse and Pony Sanctuary, Curdridge

Week Five: 23rd – 29th August
Friday 27th August: Children's Play Scheme, Pavilion on the Park, Eastleigh

Week Six: 30th: - 5th September
Wednesday 1st September: Pond Building at Trinity Centre, Winchester

Children from both Buddies groups got to enjoy a trip outside for a teddy bears picnic during the third week in June. The weather could not have been better and both groups enjoyed a game of rounders, parachute games and a special trip to the park to play on the swings.

Children who attend the Tuesday club were given some extra help from the Southampton Take Action Volunteers who were fantastic at organising and running the activities on the day.

Children in Southampton were taken to the common for their picnic and along with a regular team of volunteers, really enjoyed getting outside in the sunshine and running around in the park.

Jo provided a great help to the Buddies After School club since it began in 2008 and will be greatly missed by everybody at the club.

The children presented her with a card and teddy bear to say thank you for all her support before commencing in a friendly magical wand battle.

During the session children were taught some basic magic tricks and got to make their own witches or wizards hat and magic wand.

The children came up with some really imaginative designs for their wands and had a great time coming up with spells and turning the staff and volunteers into frogs!

It was very sad to see Jo go but we all wish her the very best of luck in her new job as Services Manager for the Young Carers Project at One Community.

On Saturday 22nd May, volunteers from Take Action spent their time helping at a fun day in Kings Copse Farm, Botley for Sophie's Appeal.

The purpose of the day was to provide activities and entertainment, whilst fundraising and promoting awareness for the appeal. There were many stalls, ranging from the tombola to "grow your own sunflower", along with a dance school showing their routines, fire engines, a barbeque and lots more.

The young people from Take Action were in charge of running some stalls for the day, including hook a duck, lucky dip, toys sales and selling the raffle tickets. It was a hot, busy day and we all enjoyed working on the different stalls - with hook a duck being a favourite. We managed to sell hundreds of raffle tickets, as well as plenty of toys.

After the success of last year, Take Action volunteers have been busy planting this year's crops at Solent Youth Action's very own allotment.

Last year, the allotment grew over 900 pounds of produce, which was donated to various charities and people in need in the community such as: women's refuge, homeless shelters and young carers.

Amongst the crops in the poly tunnel for this year are a colourful variety of fruit and vegetables from: cucumber, tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, melons and strawberries.

The volunteers have also added: sweetcorn, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, runner beans, beetroot, sprouts, leeks, courgettes, onions and shallots and pumpkins.