Volunteering Pathways programme launched to help kickstart careers through volunteering
A new Volunteering Pathways Project has just been launched to help unemployed over 18s in East Suffolk. The scheme to help people access new job opportunities via volunteering, is funded by East Suffolk Community Partnerships and East Suffolk Council and led Community Action Suffolk.
Kate Dawson from Community Action Suffolk will support those taking part to find volunteer placements and offer training to increase skills and confidence and move participants towards paid employment through this 1-year programme.
It builds on the incredible community response to covid-19, recognising the many benefits volunteering brings, from improved health and wellbeing, to gaining employment, and reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Cllr Steve Gallant, Leader of East Suffolk Council and Chair of the East Suffolk Community Partnerships Board said: “Getting involved in volunteering brings a host of benefits, including improved confidence, raised aspirations, increased mental and physical wellbeing and the opportunity to acquire new skills. Through this scheme, we hope to encourage more people to become volunteers, as either a steppingstone towards employment or to use their skills and experience to help others within their communities.”
Chris Abraham, Community Action Suffolk’s, Chief Executive, explains, “I am delighted that this vital project is being launched. Not only will it allow participants to have a kickstart into employment through volunteering, but it will also help organisations include innovative and diverse roles to encourage more people to volunteer.”