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Could you volunteer to help someone with a learning disability?
 This month our newsletter focuses on CSV's work in supporting people with learning disabilities.
CSV has a wide range of volunteering projects that help people with learning disabilities to increase their independence and confidence and help them to fully integrate into their local communities. CSV Full Time Volunteers provide support to enable people with learning disabilities to use local facilities, undertake social and leisure activities, try new experiences, find college courses, paid work or voluntary placements; or they could just be a companion who will help to build confidence and self esteem.
CSV Full Time Volunteers help to make this happen. Here two of our current volunteers talk about their projects and their experiences:
Christian gains new skills
 Christian Schult, 19, is a CSV volunteer at Essex Suppported Volunteering Scheme in Grays. He says:
“I have spent the last 10 months as a CSV Volunteer at the Essex Supported Volunteering Scheme. I support people with learning disabilities and support them in the activities they want to do and help to socialise with them. Initially I thought that this was going to be very difficult for me as I don’t have previous experience of working with people with learning disabilities but after a few meetings I really began to enjoy it and discovered that my nervousness was unfounded.
One of the main goals of the project is to help service users get involved in voluntary work so part of my role is to help them look for opportunities. I also assist them with shopping or go out with them to lunch or get involved in whatever they are interested in doing.
"I feel I have gained new skills and have improved myself in many ways through having the opportunity to volunteer "
I really enjoy my placement because I help to support a large group of people, some of whom can be challenging at times and need individual attention. I also enjoy following the progress of the people I support and it is great seeing them learn something new or develop and improve their skills.
I feel I have gained new skills and have improved myself in many ways through having the opportunity to volunteer and would like to work with people in the future. I can really recommend becoming a CSV volunteer as you will grow, not only in the volunteering that you do but also in yourself.“
'One of my best decisions' says Yvonne
 Yvonne Mews, 19, is a volunteer at CSV VOCAL, a project in Norfolk that that helps integrate adults with learning disabilities into the community by assisting them to get involved in range of different local activities or work placements. Here she talks about what it's like to be a volunteer on the project:
"My name is Yv and I have been volunteering as a CSV for 7 months. My role involves accompanying service users to help in various organisations such as nurseries, charity shops, libraries or allotments and supporting them to handle the work on their own. The aim is to let them become more and more independent in their work. The best thing about my role is that I am always doing different things and always learning something new as well.
"I literally see them getting more and more independent"
I also have the opportunity to see the changes in people I support. I literally see them getting more and more independent. One person who started work in a charity shop with me initially needed help to sort clothes and put them on hangers, and now after working there for 5 months, she can do it all on her own. She even complains when I try to help her because she is confident about doing it herself and really enjoys her work there.
It’s great to see how I have helped people to become quite independent already and in the end that is what it is all about. You can see that you are making a difference in what you do.
Deciding to volunteer with CSV is definitely one of the best decisions I have ever made. Not only do you help other people but you also learn a lot about yourself."
 Yvonne is volunteering with CSV through the European Voluntary Service (EVS) programme, which is part of the Youth in Action programme funded by the European Commission.
We will tell you more about EVS in our future newsletters.
Inspired by Christian and Yvonne?
Could you or someone you know be a CSV Full Time Volunteer?
Supporting people with learning disabilities is just one of the things we do. CSV has hundreds of other rewarding opportunities for 16-35 year olds to volunteer across the UK including befriending young people, helping in homeless shelters, supporting adults with physical disabilities or providing respite care to older people. Click here for more details.
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The CSV Volunteer Interview
David Rodriguez Mora, 19, from Colombia is a CSV Full Time Volunteer at Leicestershire Community Schemes. David befriends and supports adults with learning disabilties in a community day centre in Leicester
Q: Describe a typical day at your project.
A: "There is no such thing as a typical day! I am always doing different things. I support people with learning disabilities in a day centre so I might be helping someone on the computer, showing them how to play a game or helping with activities organised by the centre such as painting, pottery or bowling. I enjoy chatting to the service users, sharing jokes and making them laugh."
Q: What motivated you to become a CSV volunteer?
"I was looking for an opportunity to open my mind, to see more of the world and improve my English. I wanted to experience European culture and saw volunteering with CSV as a great way to do this and help people at the same time."
Q: What have you learnt about yourself while volunteering?
"I feel it has opened my mind to more possibilities and helped me to figure out what I want from life. It has made me realise that I can cope with different situations and survive living away from home in a new culture."
Q: What items would you suggest that other volunteers pack in their rucksack?
A: "It is useful to bring something from the area in which you live. For example in my case I share Colombian coffee. Also bring a small gift for your project like sweets and if English isn't your first language, a good dictionary!"
Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: "I would definitely like to experience other cultures and do more travelling. I will also be going back to university to finish my degree in Biology and ultimately want to become a University Professor."
You can meet more CSV International Volunteers like David when you become a Full Time Volunteer with us!
Improve your job prospects!
With the current uncertainty in the job market, graduates and job seekers may be looking to gain that competitive advantage when applying for jobs. Undertaking a Full Time Volunteering placement with CSV could help you gain new skills, improve your CV, help you stand out from the crowd and possibly get that job. Contact us now to see how we can help.
How to contact us:
T 0800 374 991
T 0121 643 7690
E volunteer@csv.org.uk
W www.csv.org.uk
Please quote "BTNFEB" when contacting us
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