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Volunteering is for Everyone |
when is this on?
| This isn't scheduled anytime soon. |
The work of the pioneering organisation Westminster Volunteering Bureau is explored through the experiences of four volunteers with learning disabilities.
Meet Annie, John, Patricia and Peter who all donate their time and skills to volunteer in various roles in West London. At the heart of the organisation is the belief that everyone has the right to volunteer, and people with learning disabilities are no exception. They define a volunteer as ‘someone who gives their time to do things for other people’.
 Patricia volunteers her time for the Somali Advice Bureau helping them with administrative tasks. Patricia began her volunteering career with the Westminster Employment Service, answering telephone calls and carrying out general clerical duties. The service has a strong working relationship with the Volunteering Bureau which helped her to find a volunteering opportunity, whilst still receiving guidance and supervision from her support workers.
At a pre-Christmas get-together run by the organisation RADICLE, volunteer Annie McGloin is helping to serve the lunch. RADICLE’s director, Mike Way, reflects on the importance of finding placements for those interested in contributing their time: "We all need a reason to get up in the morning and we all need to have somewhere where we can have a sense of belonging, so it’s good that she’s here."
Some volunteers find the prospect of working alone too daunting, others have not yet acquired the necessary skills to take on an office placement, but nevertheless the bureau finds a way of engaging them. The weekly ‘Happy Group’ are some such volunteers who help the bureau with its many mail-outs.
Comprising of five or more volunteers the group sit together to prepare the post. They find this gentle introduction to office work gives ample opportunity for socialising, having fun and simultaneously learn new skills in a comfortable and supportive atmosphere.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 31 May 2007 )
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Volunteers' Night 
