|
|
| |
|
ACCESS VOLUNTEERING
for people with extra support needs
|
| |
|
| What
is Access? |
Access
is the name we give to our supported volunteering work. We offer individual
support to people who have a variety of extra support needs. Examples
of volunteers who have joined the project include people:-
-
recovering from, or experiencing, mental ill health
- with
learning disabilities
- with
physical disabilities
- rehabilitating
from drug and alcohol abuse
....... but the list is not fixed - the project co-ordinator will
support anyone who wants to volunteer, but who may experience
barriers to getting involved
|
| Why
volunteer? |
|
Lots
of good reasons:-
- learn new skills
- practice existing
skills
- gain new experiences
- increase self
confidence
- add something
good to a CV
- become more
employable
- help others
and feel useful
- make new friends
- have fun
|
|
How does Access work? |
|
If
you think that Access is for you, or someone you know, just give
us a ring on 01442 247209. This is how it works:-
- call in at the
Centre for a chat - you can tell us about yourself and why you'd
like to volunteer
- we'll discuss
what you'd like to do, and what you'd feel comfortable doing
- we'll explain
what will be expected of you, and how to get the most out of your
volunteering
- we'll help answer
any questions you may have
.... and if it
helps, we'll go along with you to your placement until you feel
happy on your own
|
|
|
|
Malcom
had experienced mental ill health for several years. It had been very
difficult to keep down a job and he found mixing with other people
stressful. He joined the Access Project and chose to help on a furniture
recycling project. It wasn't easy, but supported by the project he
began to gain confidence and, most importantly, began to feel more
comfortable socialising with others. Three years on, Malcom is back
in paid work. He learned a lot from his volunteering - new skills,
mixing with others and he got a reference which enabled him to apply
successfully for a paid job. |
|
