At Volunteering Matters we believe that communities have the power, knowledge and energy to improve themselves from within and that we are most effective when we work with people, not on their behalf – and we achieve this with local partners.
- 8,652 people volunteered and made a difference in their community.
- 18,360 people were supported by volunteers.
Volunteering and undertaking social action within 156 projects across England, Scotland and Wales.
- In England 1,497 volunteers supported 9,318 people
- In Scotland 3,347 volunteers supported 1,766 people
- In Wales 321 volunteers supported 2,119 people
A closer look at our projects
Our Grandmentors Programme ran in 15 locations enabling older volunteers to use their life experience and skills to provide emotional and practical support to young people transitioning from the care system to independent living. With 302 volunteers involved, 249 care experienced young people were supported.
Amongst the care experienced people on the programme, 62% became independent or stable in terms of their own wellbeing. An increase from 37% at the beginning of their mentoring experience. Volunteers also benefitted from being in the programme, 62% agreed they felt more connected to their local community as a mentor.
Our Family Mentors/Family Supporters Programme in Southend, Greenwich and Waltham Forest helped families involved with social services to set and reach their own goals and as part of this, empowering the family to be self-sufficient and de-escalated from their child protection plans. 189 volunteers supported 750 family members.
Young people were able to use their agency to make changes in their community and environment, including:
- In Ipswich, young people created a programme for children transitioning to high school. This is part of Ipswich Borough Council’s annual community safety programme for all schools in Ipswich. 1,400 young people completed the programme, which also included material to support teachers with tricky conversations that may occur after the workshops.
- In London, through our London Young Ambassadors (YLA) programme, and with support from the Greater London Authority, we partnered with schools so students could design and deliver their own social action projects. We engaged 33 Schools across 22 London Boroughs and 294 young people, focusing on Alternative Provision schools and Special Educational Need and Disabilities (SEND) schools.
- Through our partnership with #iWill, 330 young people became #iWill Ambassadors, leading and influencing the #iWill Moment, and influencing others to be involved in Youth Social Action.
Volunteers aged 50+ used their skills and experience to benefit local communities, including:
- In Bristol, The Archie Project undertook intergenerational dementia awareness linking local schools with care homes. RSVP West volunteers engaged with children in schools in Bath to enable them to communicate with care home residents and join in with their activities, with both generations learning from each other.
- 1,089 volunteers made a difference in their communities through the Retired and Senior Volunteers Programme.
In Gwent, Wales,
Sexual Awareness for Everyone (SAFE) supported 16-35 year olds with additional learning needs to empower them to lead conversations around relationships, consent, internet safety and sexual health. Through the project volunteers with additional learning needs developed, produced and co-delivered workshops in schools, colleges and youth centres across Gwent.
In Dundee and Edinburgh, Scotland
The Inspire Project provided support to New Scots aged 16-35 by offering supported volunteering opportunities, mentoring relationships and employability skills development. Refugees and asylum seekers were supported to integrate into their local community, build personal, professional networks and develop skills and confidence to support them in their journey. 38 people have been supported by Inspire. A true community project with 15 charity partners hosting volunteering placements for the New Scots.
You can find out more about the work we’re doing in communities on our impact page.
