Volunteering Pathways9th July 2015

WCVA Conference - Llanrwst

Jan Balsdon – Head of Community Partnerships

We are The Wallich. We’re doing something about homelessness. We give vulnerable people the accommodation and support to live safer, happier and more independent

lives and become part of their communities.

We help the most excluded and marginalised people in society; those with no home, experiencing extreme poverty and suffering poor mental and physical health.

We believe everyone deserves the right to a home, but more than that, that everyone deserves the right to feel safe, to feel valued and to feel positive about their future.

Who we are…

Values

Underpinning our vision and principles are our four core values.

• Dignity• Tolerance• Respect• Empowerment

• We get people off the streets• We keep people off the streets

• We create opportunities for people

What we do…

The Journey…..

•2010

•37 Volunteers

•18 months

The Plan

•Community Volunteer Programme•Role Descriptions•Induction•Core Training Programme•Policy Consultation•Internal Employment

• 120 Volunteers

• 700 Hours per month

• Recognition –Volunteer Awards

• Christmas Voucher Scheme

• Investing in Volunteers

2011The Turning Point…

Why are we not giving the people we support the opportunity to volunteer??

Listening Lunch Consultation

L

Consultation

Volunteering in Wales Fund

…..Residents’ & Service Users’ Volunteer Programme

Residents’ & Service User’s Volunteer Programme (RSVP)

A supported volunteer programme specifically designed for The Wallich residents and service users. It aims to offer our clients, who often have limited access to this kind of opportunity, the chance to take advantage of the proven benefits that volunteering brings

RSVP helps the people we support to:

oDevelop their skillsoMeet new peopleoBuild confidenceoShare their skillsoBe part of a teamoWork towards an ‘Individual Learning Plan’oAttend training and gain work based, industry standard qualificationsoFind a valued place in there communities

The Skill Scheme

oOpportunity for clients with time served knowledge to to refresh and maintain skillsoOpportunities for clients to learn and gain practical experienceoProvides current work experience and referencesoPersonal development – team working, decision making, budgeting, planning and time management

• 424 Volunteers!

• 19,424 Contributed hours!

Corporate Volunteering

Banking SectorAccountancyCall CentresLegalStatutory Services

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Corporate Volunteering

Where are we now…?

Model of Support

•Streets Ahead•‘On the Up’•Skills 2 Pay the Bills’•Challenge it – Change it!•The REP Programme

Volunteering to Employment Corporate Partners in:ITCall CentreConstructionPrint & Design

The Future…..?

•Business Plan 2014

•10 Year Homelessness Plan•The Housing Act•Tackling Poverty & Inclusion•Welsh Government - ‘One Wales’

Graham:

“I was apprehensive about relapsing back into depression. I think The Wallich staff also knew this might happen and they offered me some volunteering work to keep myself busy. It helped me a lot. Having a reason to get up – and the feeling I was doing something worthwhile – lifted my spirits and helped get my confidence back”.

Kerry:

“I’m now volunteering three days a week with The Wallich and I enjoy every minute of it.I never ever thought I would see me doing this, but the support and help I’ve had from floating support saved me and my family and I would really like to help people in similar circumstances . Even though I am no longer a client, the team are still there for me pushing me to my strengths and helping me achieve my goals. “

Stuart:

“I found volunteering to be very rewarding as you not only gain valuable skills but it keeps you in a positive routine and helps you to gain confidenceI would recommend volunteering to anyone as it gave me the confidence and experience I needed to achieve getting back into full-time work.I am proud to say that I am now the Receptionist at The Wallich Headquarters in Cardiff.”

The Language of Volunteering for us…

•Breaking down barriers•Giving something back…•Opportunity•Mitigating the impact of welfare reform•Tackling poverty & isolation •Belonging and self worth•Inclusive Communities

•Bullet text here

www.thewallich.com

@thewallich

www.linkedin.com/company/the-wallich

Thank you Any Questions?