Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, has backed an application by South Staffordshire Community & Voluntary Action (SSCVA) for funding from the Staffordshire Community Foundation.
The SSCVA, which operates under the name Support Staffordshire, is a community support and development organisation, covering the South Staffordshire District.
It runs the accredited Volunteer Centre, established to match individuals with their perfect volunteering role, and the Catalyst Development Project, which provides outreach development support for community groups operating throughout the area.
The organisation also delivers 20 training sessions per annum, runs 10 Community Voice Forums and manages the AT Home Project, which supports vulnerable, disabled or socially isolated individuals with living aids and signposting support.
Funding would go towards the SSCVA’s Supported Volunteering Project, which is designed to encourage over 50’s and people with learning or physical difficulties, who are unemployed or economically inactive, into volunteering.
The project would offer ‘Volunteer Taster’ sessions for potential participants, as well as one to one support and advice, and ‘Introduction to Volunteering’ training.
Local groups that have agreed to promote or assist with the scheme include South Staffordshire Work Clubs, Quest Day Opportunities Rockspur, Employment Works, South Staffordshire Network for Mental Health (SSNMH), Mid Staffs MIND, Bromford, South Staffordshire Housing Association and ‘Work 2 Work’ (a project out of Wightwock Hall School).
Gavin said: “This is a wonderful project, which could help give confidence and purpose back to some of the most vulnerable members of society. Through training and active participation, participants will not only gain additional skills that could help them in later life, they will also have an opportunity meet and socialise with like-minded people in their local community.
“I strongly hope that the SSCVA receives the funding that it needs to turn this idea into a reality, thereby enabling it to help hundreds of people across South Staffordshire.”
The Staffordshire Community Foundation is an independent charity dedicated to strengthening local communities and tackling issues of disadvantage and exclusion.
It is one of over 50 Community Foundations that operate throughout the United Kingdom. Work centres around delivering grants on behalf of Government authorities, building permanent endowments, forming multi agency partnerships and helping businesses and local philanthropists.