Volunteer Co-ordinators Forum (VCF)
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Volunteer Co- ordinators Forum (VCF) Supporting disabled volunteers Simon Hancox – Community Action Jo Drake - Umbrella
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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. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of Volunteer Co-ordinators Forum (VCF)
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 2010.• 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 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
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 2010
https://www.gov.uk/equality-act-2010-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
