Lisa, our Project Officer for Futures East, recently spoke to two of our volunteers about their roles. Futures East is a programme that empowers young people with learning disabilities, autism and additional support needs to undertake a fulfilling and worthwhile voluntary role in the community.
‘My name is Halimah and I’m 17 years old. At my volunteering placement at the lunch club, I did things like cutting up the vegetables, setting up the tables, preparing desserts, and baking. I also helped to set up the tea and coffee, and asked what people wanted before telling my boss what they want. My favourite part was setting up the tables for everyone eating, and when Lisa came to see how I was doing!
I want to do more volunteering. I’ve learnt how to set up the table, but the skills I want to focus on are cutting, and also weighing. I want to work on weighing ingredients so if I’m baking at home I can work out measurements with large numbers.
It has been a happy experience, and I will miss it now it’s over, but am also happy to be back at school to see my friend!’
‘I’m Beth, and I’m 17.
I volunteered at a charity shop. I helped with untangling the jewellery and sorting the clothes. I also helped with tagging and hanging them up. My favourite part is pricing the items! I also really enjoy hanging the blouses up and working out where the different clothes go.’
Beth and Halimah are a part of Futures East, which is a project focused on enabling young people between the ages of 16-25, who have learning disabilities, on the autism spectrum or have additional support needs, to take part in exciting and worthwhile voluntary roles within their local communities of Hackney and the surrounding Boroughs.
Find out more about Futures East
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