Aims:
Volunteering Matters creates opportunities for people to play an active part in the community through volunteering.
By focussing on the needs of 4 groups of people; disabled people, older people, young people and families we inspire our committed and ambitious volunteers to power change in their communities. We do this by delivering targeted, innovative and professional programmes nationwide.
Services provided:
Young People
Young people aged 13 to 25-years-old volunteer either full-time (35 hours per week) or part-time and help older and disabled people to live independent lives; run their own community projects; promote health messages to their peers or preserve historic buildings. They make a huge difference in their communities and gain future employability and life skills whilst building their confidence and meeting new people.
Full-time volunteers are recruited, trained and supported to spend six months to a year living away from home where they gain valuable life and employability skills whilst providing a vital service. Accommodation is provided alongside day-to-day expenses.
Anyone living in the UK aged between 18 and 35 can apply to become a full-time volunteer. People living in Austria, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Honduras, Japan, Korea. Mexico, Panama, Taiwan or the USA can apply to become an international volunteer.
Older People
Volunteers across the UK aged 50 take part in programmes led by Volunteering Matters staff or lead their own peer run projects under our Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP). Volunteer community projects include patient driving schemes, employability skills, befriending, knitting and exercise groups. Older volunteers also mentor young people leaving care and help children learn to read.
Disabled People
Having a physical or learning disability shouldn’t stop anyone volunteering. We help disabled young people and adults to actively volunteer and contribute to their local community, increasing their confidence and social and employability skills.
Volunteers also support and mentor disabled people to live independently, increase their social skills, gain confidence and improve their quality of life.
Families
Volunteers help families with children at risk of neglect or harm; they help mothers vulnerable to exploitation and domestic abuse; mentor young people leaving care; befriend children with challenging behaviour; support families with children with life-limiting illnesses and create outdoor play opportunities for cognitive development.
Our programmes reduce isolation, improve parenting skills and the quality of family life whilst reducing reliance on social care services.
USING A FULL-TIME VOLUNTEER:
Volunteering Matters makes an initial and annual charge to those wanting to recruit a full–time, young volunteer and placements are expected to provide accommodation, travelling expenses and a weekly allowance for the volunteer. These costs may be recouped from Social Work Departments, Health Authorities or charitable trusts. There is no charge for retired and senior volunteers input.
additional information:
Ross Thomson is the Volunteer Manager at Volunteering Matters, North Lanarkshire Befriending Project and he can be contacted on 01698 574 575. They are based at Office 47, Evans Business Centre, Belgrave Street, Bellshill ML4 3NP
Address
18-24 Lower Clapton Road
London
E5 0PD
Phone: 0203 780 5870
Website: http://volunteeringmatters.org.uk/
