Volunteer Co-ordinators Forum (VCF) Supporting disabled volunteers Simon Hancox – Community Action Jo Drake - Umbrella

Housekeeping Fire Toilets Smoking Phones Confidential Breaks

Agenda To help organisations become more inclusive towards disabled volunteers. Reflect on attitudes towards disability. To identify barriers and ways to break them down. Familiarise learners with the Equality Act Networking.

In 2008/09, 32% of those with a long-term limiting illness or disability formally volunteered compared with 43% of those with no long-term limiting illness or disability (2008/09 DCLG Citizenship Survey). For the period :186 people who’d been through Community Action’s volunteer brokerage service declared themselves as having a disability. 40 have been placed into volunteering. 146 have not (at the time of asking) Background

 VENN work  The push to be ‘work ready’  Alteration/closure of day centre services  Community Action seeing more people with a disability  Community Action Volunteering Ambassadors Background cont..

What are your fears and concerns about recruiting and supporting disabled volunteers? Group discussion

The Equality Act guidance VCF

Back in 10 minutes please

The medical model Often the first model that disabled people/carers are faced with. You are the problem. You need fixing. Confusion between sickness and disability. Models of disability

The charity model Object of pity. Need kind hearted non-disabled people to help you. You can help but only if you are deserving and grateful. Models of disability

The social model Developed by disabled people. Disability is not an individual problem. You cannot compete on an equal level. Communication barriers. Inaccessible physical environments. Models of disability

Summary The models still influence today, and although we are breaking down these ideas, they are essential for funding etc. We need to break down barriers rather than creating them with our own perceptions.

Georgie’s Story

The fruit bowl

Hints and tips Involve the volunteer in all decisions affecting them. Never ignore questions about disability, always attempt to answer and satisfy curiosity. Collect as much information as possible, and get to know the volunteer as well as possible. Listen to and volunteer with respect, see them before disability or condition. Use a variety of ways to communicate if needed i.e, symbols, pictures or social stories.

Hints and tips continued.. Support and motivate. Include everyone, not just one specific volunteer. Overcome obstacles and provide solutions. Never give up, be creative and give it a go!

Future VCF topics

Updates Open floor for updates

Simon Hancox –