A Positive Pathway awaits supported Volunteers in Havant following Lottery Grant

Community First are celebrating after being awarded a £428k Big Lottery Fund grant for their supported volunteering project ‘Positive Pathways’. Positive Pathways will work with local Havant Borough residents who need a little bit of help to volunteer in their community, to increase participation in volunteering especially for those who are long term unemployed or who want to reconnect with their community but do not have the confidence to do it alone.

Offering team volunteering as well as personalised training and mentoring into individual placements, Positive Pathways will build on the success of the Havant V Team that supported many local people into volunteering. Positive Pathways will help people to gain valuable work experience, learn new skills, make new friends, support local charities and community groups, and all whilst improving their own health and wellbeing.

Tim Houghton Chief Executive of Community First commented “This grant is fantastic news for local residents, partner organisations and for Community First. It will provide a firm foundation for supported volunteering in Havant for the next 5 years helping some of the most vulnerable to get the support they deserve to enable them to live independent and fulfilling lives. We know there is significant demand for a Positive Pathways programme in Havant; in today’s hectic world it doesn’t take much for people to feel vulnerable and isolated especially after a period of ill health or being out of work for a long time. Volunteering is a great way of helping people to reconnect with their communities. We will focus on what people can do, building on their strengths and skills and giving them a real sense of purpose and the confidence and resilience to achieve.”

Positive Pathways will launch in September. For further details about the project or how to get involved, please contact Mandy Harris at mandy.harris@cfirst.org.uk or call 0300 500 8085. Information about Community First’s Volunteer Service can be found at www.cfirst.org.uk or to find a local volunteering opportunity check out www.volunteerwessex.org where you will find lots of interesting roles based in local charities and community groups.

 

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