Volunteering With a Disability

We provide the right support to help you volunteer

We run two projects to support people with disabilities to volunteer in their community.

The Learning Disability Supported Volunteering Project works specifically with people with a learning disability, and the Supported Youth Volunteering Project works with young disabled people in Merton who want to use volunteering as a stepping stone to future training and employment.

Learning Disability Supported Volunteering Project

The Learning Disability Development Fund has awarded funding to create a partnership between Volunteer Centre Merton and the London Borough of Merton Learning Disabilities Service. This partnership supports 10 people with learning disabilities referred by Merton Employment Team. The volunteers are given regular support within their placements on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis dependent on their individual support needs. The placement organisations for these volunteers are also offered support by our Recruitment & Placement Support Officer. When any of these volunteers feel they would like to look for work the Merton Employment Team provides the necessary help, support and guidance.

The Supported Youth Volunteering Project

This is a new project which began in April 2009. It aims to provide ongoing support for 30 young disabled people aged 16-25 to volunteer in their local community. We find suitable volunteer placements. For many volunteers this will be an end in itself, but for some, we work with the referral agency to support progress towards future employment. We liaise with referral agencies to identify young people who can benefit from volunteer placements that will develop their skills, build their confidence and help them to achieve more independence. This project relies on partnerships between us, the referral agency and the placement organisation and builds on existing networks. Volunteering will be one element of a coordinated support package for each young person.

For more information please contact us on 020 8640 7355, info@volunteercentremerton.org.uk.