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

2. Housekeeping Fire Toilets Smoking Phones Confidential Breaks

3. 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 2010. Networking.

4. 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 2012-2013:186 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

5.  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..

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

7. The Equality Act 2010 https://www.gov.uk/equality-act-2010- guidance VCF

8. Back in 10 minutes please

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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.

13. Georgie’s Story

14. The fruit bowl

15. 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.

16. 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!

17. Future VCF topics

18. Updates Open floor for updates

19. Simon Hancox – 01332 346266 Simon.hancox@communityactionderby.org.uk