our volunteers
Volunteers at CASBA take on all kinds of roles. We currently have 29 volunteers working with us, doing everything from being responsible for overseeing our work on the executive committee, to supporting groups or individuals, fundraising or photography. Some of our volunteers have Learning Disabilities and are citizens who we've worked with previously, while others respond to adverts for specific role.
In the past, when our volunteering processes were assessed, we were told:
"Volunteers bring the colour – the add ons... They build relationships with clients that need their input, help them with their involvement in the community and in their relationships with their families...It’s impossible for one member of staff to give individuals that time and support. The commitment of volunteers is amazing. They form really positive relationships with clients. They are a lifeline and a way for the organisation to monitor the wellbeing of clients’.
Volunteers are also valued for the innovation they bring - with new ideas and new ways of doing things. All volunteers provide an integral role in planning and delivering projects and ambassador volunteers are valued specifically for their role in providing peer support for people with learning disabilities/difficulties.
‘Volunteers with a learning disability help the organisation understand things. A lot of volunteers have a learning disability’ and another volunteer said ‘We bring a more rounded view of what people with a learning disability are facing with funding, medical and social care issues’.
‘I love mixing with the groups we have. I can make a difference and have made a difference’, ‘I feel part of a team that’s doing something interesting and doing it well’ and ‘I have learned so much about learning disability and the individual support that is required’.
Volunteers described the quality of the support, ‘Whenever I need help, I’m stuck or confused – I had answers and the answers were understandable and evidence based. They are more than willing to talk about learning disability issues and caseloads’, ‘The support is excellent – they are always moving forward, finding ways to improve what we’re doing, you can ask any question and they are always very open. Things can blow up very quickly and then you get help with anything’ and ‘They are quite helpful when you’re feeling low. You can sit down in a quiet room and speak to them about your problems’.
"Volunteers bring the colour – the add ons... They build relationships with clients that need their input, help them with their involvement in the community and in their relationships with their families...It’s impossible for one member of staff to give individuals that time and support. The commitment of volunteers is amazing. They form really positive relationships with clients. They are a lifeline and a way for the organisation to monitor the wellbeing of clients’.
Volunteers are also valued for the innovation they bring - with new ideas and new ways of doing things. All volunteers provide an integral role in planning and delivering projects and ambassador volunteers are valued specifically for their role in providing peer support for people with learning disabilities/difficulties.
‘Volunteers with a learning disability help the organisation understand things. A lot of volunteers have a learning disability’ and another volunteer said ‘We bring a more rounded view of what people with a learning disability are facing with funding, medical and social care issues’.
‘I love mixing with the groups we have. I can make a difference and have made a difference’, ‘I feel part of a team that’s doing something interesting and doing it well’ and ‘I have learned so much about learning disability and the individual support that is required’.
Volunteers described the quality of the support, ‘Whenever I need help, I’m stuck or confused – I had answers and the answers were understandable and evidence based. They are more than willing to talk about learning disability issues and caseloads’, ‘The support is excellent – they are always moving forward, finding ways to improve what we’re doing, you can ask any question and they are always very open. Things can blow up very quickly and then you get help with anything’ and ‘They are quite helpful when you’re feeling low. You can sit down in a quiet room and speak to them about your problems’.
