Better Futures Archives
What’s next for Better Futures?
Posted on 30th June 2016 by Matt DayWe recently received the extremely disappointing news that we had not been successful in gaining continuation funding for our BIG Lottery funded service, Better Futures. The service worked with people with disabilities who needed help to get into volunteering. Sometimes that help was figuring out what they wanted to do, sometimes it was finding a role that they were interested in, or understanding the application process. We helped people to start, and we helped them after they did, as they were accompanied by our staff into their new placement and given 8 weeks of support to learn the requirements of the role and do things like consider reasonable adjustments they needed and gain confidence in travelling to and from their placement. We’re hugely proud that once people completed their 8 weeks of direct support 9 out of 10 wanted to continue without that support, newly confident in something they didn’t feel able to engage with alone just a few months earlier. You can read stories from some of our clients here but these are just a handful of nearly 150 that were supported across the project.
Volunteers’ Week Day 8 — Jason Eade
Posted on 8th June 2016 by Impetus
Volunteer’s Name: Jason Eade
Which Impetus service they volunteer for: Better Futures
What do they do?
Jason, 26 years old, was supported by Impetus’ Better Futures service to find and get started in the role of Front of House volunteer at the visual arts organisation and art gallery, Fabrica. Due to having an autistic spectrum disorder, Jason found meeting new people difficult. However, he was able to share knowledge about the art exhibitions with groups of visitors and was praised for his warm and positive impression.
#GivingTuesday – Diary of a Volunteer
Posted on 2nd December 2014 by Seb FeastFran has recently completed an 8 week placement as a volunteer receptionist with the support of Better Futures. She has thoroughly enjoyed this experience and has recorded her reflection in a weekly diary. Fran is now continuing her role and was keen to share her experiences with others, so they can get an understanding of the typical journey they might expect from doing one of our placements. We decided to publish her story today for #GivingTuesday as Fran’s volunteering is a great example of the the work of our staff in accompanying service users on their journey to become comfortable with volunteering by themselves.
St John’s Annual Learner Voice Conference
Posted on 17th June 2014 by Warren SharpOn the 11th of June Better Futures were very kindly invited to take part in St John’s Annual Learner Voice Conference. The event was aimed at showcasing the amazing variety of activities that St John’s students have access to during their time with both their Seaford based school and the college situated in East Brighton.
The event was a huge success with a mixture of speakers, entertainers, and an opportunity for students to explore the various learning opportunities on offer to them – including volunteering through Better Futures.
Volunteers’ Week – Supported Volunteering
Posted on 6th June 2014 by Seb Feast
“Better Futures gave me as little or as much support as I required.”
We’ve just published Jason’s Story, written by Danielle (Better Futures Volunteering Coordinator), to the Better Futures stories section. Better Futures has supported Jason to be a volunteer for thirteen weeks, but now our involvement is over and he is doing the role independently.
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