Paul’s Place celebrate £66,000 from Global’s Make Some Noise
Physical disabilities charity, Paul’s Place (South West), celebrate £66,000 from the incredible fundraising efforts of Global’s Make Some Noise.
The award will launch a brand-new in-house volunteering service to significantly reduce barriers and open many doors for adults with physical disabilities to volunteer.
The national grant giving charity, Global, supports hundreds of small charities, like Paul’s Place, across the UK with fundraising from Global’s Make Some Noise. You may have spotted celebrity, Amanda Holden, doing her very challenging run, swim and cycle triathlon to help raise money for Global’s Make Some Noise.
Paul’s Place was thrilled when chosen as one of the charities that Global’s Make Some Noise will support. It will use the invaluable funds to upskill and build confidence for people with physical disabilities to actively volunteer through its brand-new in-house volunteering service.
Many of the people using services at Paul’s Place have untapped skills and knowledge that they’re eager to use in the community. They could also gain vital work experience through volunteering that could lead to future employment. Yet, many volunteer opportunities are not fully accessible outside of its day facility and evening programmes.
Its Global’s Make Some Noise funding means the charity can recruit a Volunteer Development Officer and fund the resources needed to make volunteering possible for adults with physical disabilities. The volunteer officer would work closely with members at Paul’s Place to build their self-confidence and skills to volunteer in their chosen area of work.
Inspiring the project is current Member (service user), Andy Batten. Andy became disabled later in life. It was difficult having to leave a career he loved and the uncertainty of what he could do as a disabled adult. This had a negative effect on his mental health.
As a charity, empowering disabled adults is one of its aims. When the charity discovered Andy was a builder by trade, it offered him the chance to use those skills around its day facility.
Initially some light maintenance and DIY work helped Andy to use his skills again. Andy now runs regular woodwork and archery skill sessions for other members at Paul’s Place.
Andy says, “It’s something that keeps me alive. The accident made me feel useless. Paul’s Place is a lifeline for me. I now feel useful and enjoy being here. Sometimes people think I’m just another Member on the days I am in. It sometimes surprises them to learn I’m volunteering that day. It’s changing people’s perceptions.”
The charity quickly saw that more members could benefit from opportunities like this. For many of the people supported at Paul’s Place, entering the workforce is not possible. Still, volunteering is a great way to learn new skills and it develops a sense of giving and supporting. Volunteering also offers a weekly routine and social opportunities with other people who share your interest and values.
For members who can enter the workforce, learning valuable skills with the in-house volunteering programme could kick start a new career outside of Paul’s Place.
Kayley Waller, Fundraising and Communications Manager at Paul’s Place, says. “We are honoured to have been chosen by Global’s Make Some Noise and look forward to being able to share more stories of the disabled adults taking part in the project. We want to show what people are capable of when given the right opportunities, as well as removing preconceptions some may have about what a disabled life could be.”
Suzanne Ryder-Richardson, Director of Global Goodness at Global, said: “It’s becoming increasingly hard for small charities to meet the rising demand for their services whilst struggling with higher bills. They are delivering vital projects which are a lifeline for so many.
We’re thrilled that thanks to the generosity of the Global audiences and our partners we are able to help those charities, who are at the centre of communities right across the UK. But there are still so many of these amazing projects who are finding it difficult to continue, with some having to turn people away when they are reaching out for a lifeline. We will continue our work to raise funds and awareness to help preserve these essential community resources.”
To follow how Paul’s Place will progress volunteering for adults with physical disabilities and to get involved, please visit their website, and select a social media channel. This was only made possible from its £66,000 award from Global #MakeSomeNoise , announce on Friday 19th April.
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