Innovate Trust and Volunteering Wales have some exciting news, the new Volunteering Hub is launching on the first of September!
The volunteering hub is a website aimed at adults with learning disabilities which supports them to discover volunteering in an accessible way. The Volunteering Hub contains Easy Read resources and videos on a wide variety of topics including what volunteering means, why it’s beneficial and how to volunteer. Alongside this, there are a variety of volunteering opportunities individuals can apply for through the Volunteering Hub. The Volunteering Hub will be part of Innovate’s Insight App as well as having its own web address, www.volunteering.innovate-trust.org.uk. Insight is Innovate Trust’s free community app for people with learning disabilities across the UK. Here, individuals can join online and in-person activities and use it as a social space to make friends and be included.
During phase one of the project, adults with learning disabilities evaluated Insight and discovered that the individuals who use Insight would like to have a dedicated space for volunteering in an accessible format. Phase two has built on this with us co-producing the Hub with volunteers with learning disabilities.
The benefits of the Volunteering Hub:
- A dedicated space for adults with learning disabilities to discover volunteering opportunities in an accessible format.
- Increased diversity within your client group provides a welcoming atmosphere and increased innovation, which in turn attracts more volunteers.
- More adults with learning disabilities engaging with their community, improving their skills and wellbeing as a result.
- Adults with learning disabilities being digitally included and not left behind in an increasingly digital world.
- The volunteering Hub covers topics such as:
- Accessible information on what volunteering means so that adults with learning disabilities have a greater understanding of what volunteering is and what is expected of them.
- Accessible information on why volunteering is good and how to be the best volunteer. This is something our volunteers with learning disabilities who created the app were particularly interested in.
- Volunteering stories shared by adults with learning disabilities to inspire and motivate others to engage with new opportunities.
- Meaningful volunteering opportunities suitable for adults with learning disabilities.
We are working with external organisations to upload opportunities to the hub, supporting them to meet high standards of accessibility. Additionally, we are supporting organisations to consider their practices in relation to recruiting, training and supporting volunteers with learning disabilities. We have some resources on best practice supporting adults with learning disabilities to volunteer coming soon!
To share news on the new Volunteering Hub, please see the bi-lingual flyers below:
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How do I post my volunteering opportunities on the Volunteering Hub?
Visit www.volunteering.innovate-trust.org.uk
Click on ‘add opportunity’ then fill in the online form.
You’ll need to think about how and why your volunteering opportunity is accessible for adults with learning disabilities. For example, does the opportunity have staff available to offer guidance, is the location easily accessible by public transport, is there disabled access and toilets, is the training provided accessible, do volunteers need to complete a DBS etc.
Once the form is completed, it’ll be reviewed and either posted straight on the Hub or we will contact you for more information if needed. It’s important the vulnerable adults who access the Hub are kept safe and well supported when volunteering.
Thank you to WCVA’s Volunteering Wales Strategic Grant and all our volunteers
The Volunteering Hub is a brilliant initiative to support adults with learning disabilities. Our volunteers with learning disabilities have been working hard to ensure the Volunteering Hub is both fun and accessible. Volunteering can be incredibly empowering, offering numerous benefits and fostering a sense of community. The website can be used alongside the Volunteering Wales website to ensure individuals use the platform which is right for them, helping everyone to engage more fully with volunteering.
A big shout out to all the volunteers from Cardiff, The Vale, Rhondda Cynon Taf, and those online who have made this project a reality. And of course, a heartfelt thanks to WCVA’s Volunteering Wales Strategic Grant for their invaluable support!
