Published: 19 May 2009
Disabled Reach Out to Volunteer
A brand new project helping disabled young people in York is soon to get off the ground after being awarded £283,076 from the Big Lottery Fund (BIG).
The 3-year grant from BIG’s Reaching Communities Programme is supporting The Children's Society’s new ‘Reaching Out’ initiative run by the PACT project.
The new scheme will help young disabled people, including those with autism & profound disabilities, to take part in a range of volunteering opportunities, increasing their skills & confidence and preparing them for adulthood & employment.
A team of volunteers will be recruited & trained to support & mentor disabled people to recognise their own skills & talents.
Individually tailored programmes will prepare each young person with the confidence, self-esteem & guidance to volunteer in local community projects such as elderly people's shopping schemes, Brownies, charity shops and museums.
Penny Nicholls, Director for Children and Young People at The Children’s Society, said:
"We are very grateful to the Big Lottery Fund for their generous support of our PACT disability project in York.
This grant will help disabled young people overcome discrimination and isolation by getting into volunteering and employment.
Research shows that only one in ten young people with learning disabilities are in employment.
This grant will help at least 100 disabled young people by pairing them with volunteers so that they acquire essential skills and qualifications.
Project staff and volunteers in York will work together to raise the confidence, self esteem and aspirations of these disabled young people."
Caroline James, Big Lottery Fund Head of Region for Yorkshire & The Humber, said:
“This great project will give young disabled people the confidence and opportunities to take on a range of volunteering roles.
As well as helping out in the local community, volunteering will provide the young people with a stepping stone to further their skills and find future employment.”
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