Every year, people from all walks of life across the UK give their time to volunteer, making a huge difference to communities and the people around them. At CAVA, we’re proud to support volunteers and organisations to create opportunities that help people connect, build skills and make a positive impact.
To learn more and get inspired, explore the volunteering stories below.
We first met Steve* after being contacted by his support worker. Steve has a learning difficulty and had previously been told by the Job Centre that securing long-term work or volunteering opportunities may be difficult because of this. He lived at home with limited encouragement about what he was capable of achieving, but his support worker strongly believed he had the ability to succeed and arranged a meeting to explore volunteering opportunities.
During our conversation, Steve shared that he didn’t feel he had many skills or much to offer an organisation, but he enjoyed history and was looking for a more social role. Together with his support worker, we explored a range of volunteering opportunities and discussed the different benefits each role could provide.
Steve decided to try a community-based role helping to support a local food Pantry. After visiting the venue and seeing the welcoming atmosphere, he felt encouraged to give it a try. He particularly enjoyed taking part in themed community events and quickly became a valued member of the volunteer team.
A few months later, Steve’s support worker got back in touch to explore additional volunteering opportunities, as Steve had gained confidence and was thriving in his role. He had developed a routine, built social connections, and now had something positive to look forward to each week. His support worker shared that Steve had exceeded expectations and was keen to continue gaining experience and staying active within the community.
Following further discussions, Steve chose to take on additional opportunities, including supporting a local park and helping at a community café after enjoying the welcoming environment there. Through volunteering, Steve has continued to build confidence, develop practical skills, and strengthen his connections within the local community.
If you or someone you support could benefit from similar volunteering support, please contact your local CAVA Volunteering Coordinator to find out more about available opportunities and guidance.
*not his real name.
