Contact Us
Voluntary Sector North West
St. Thomas Centre
Manchester
M12 6FZ
Tel: 0161 276 9300
Fax: 0161 276 9301
Email: info@vsnw.org.uk
Supporting Disabled People to Volunteer - now open for applications
16 November 2009
The £2 million Access to Volunteering pilot fund announced on 30 September has opened for applications at www.accesstovolunteering.org
The fund aims to increase the number of disabled people volunteering in the target regions of the North West, London and the West Midlands, while acting as a pilot for a national Access to Volunteering fund. The funding will also provide evidence of additional costs associated with disabled people volunteering, particularly costs that cannot be met by other sources.
Disabled people are 9 per cent less likely to volunteer than the rest of the population, according to analysis recently published by the Office of the Third Sector. In 2008 - 2009, just 32 per cent of disabled adults formally volunteered, which compared to 41 per cent of the general adult population.
A lack of special equipment, inappropriate premises, the extra cost of travel, and the need for support workers to provide physical and communications assistance all mean disabled people are prevented from volunteering.
Decsions regarding grant awards will be made by local panels and volunteers are being sought to become panel members. If this is of interest, please send your CV and covering letter explaining your suitability for the role to enquiries@accesstovolunteering.org. If you require support to apply, telephone 03000 123346.
The deadline for applications is Friday 27 November.
Featured Event
Influencing Parliament with the Communities and Local Government Select Committee
As part of the Parliamentary Outreach and VSNW 'Get Involved' series of events, this event will explore:
►What Parliament is and what it does
►How groups can effectively engage with Parliament
►Insights from a Specialist Clerk from the House of Commons Communities and Local Government Select Committee
Featured News
Listen Value Invest campaign is launched at the Houses of Parliament
The Listen Value Invest campaign was launched in a special event at the Houses of Parliament last week.
Demonstrating the local economic and social value of grant-making with the VCS
This new 'think piece' from the Centre for Local Economic Strategies, commissioned by VSNW, explores the shift from grants to contracts, and the value of grant-making within the voluntary and community sector.
North West Mental Wellbeing Survey
North West Mental Wellbeing Survey - a major new survey of 18,500 residents in the North West has been published.
Events & Trainings
VSNW’s list of events & training opportunities for VCS groups in the North West
