In December the HFVC applied to “Access to Volunteering” for a Grant of £2,000 to help people with disabilities to be able to volunteer. The grant is to purchase specialist equipment which meets the needs of the volunteer. We were successful in obtaining the full amount.

This now means that with these funds we aim to purchase a Hearing Loop, Amplified Telephone to assist clients who have a hearing impediment and a Large Computer Screen, Supernova Magnification Software and a Smartview magnifier to enable clients who are partially sighted to be able to read application forms etc. We have 6 months to purchase this equipment and need to produce photographic evidence and receipts to Access to Volunteering.

We would to thank the Cabinet Office of the Third Sector, Digital Public, The Charities Aid Foundation and the Royal National Institute for the Blind who are the Fund Partners involved in this project. This now means that with these funds we aim to purchase a Hearing Loop, Amplified Telephone to assist clients who have a hearing impediment and a Large Computer Screen, Supernova Magnification Software and a Smartview magnifier to enable clients who are partially sighted to be able to read application forms etc.

We have 6 months to purchase this equipment and need to produce photographic evidence and receipts to Access to Volunteering.

Organisations can apply for grants between £250 and £5,000, which can be used to help overcome barriers that stop disabled people volunteering, such as specific equipment, a lack of suitable access and understanding of disability issues.

These grants are part of the £2 million Access to Volunteering Fund, which was developed by the Office of the Third Sector in the Cabinet Office as a pilot scheme in Greater London, the West Midlands and the North West.

The fund operates between Autumn 2009 and Spring 2011 over five grant rounds. Deadlines and decision dates for the future are:-

• Deadline 08/02/10 - Decision Date 22/03/10
• Deadline 19/04/10 - Decision Date 31/05/10
  
• Deadline 28/06/10 - Decision Date 09/08/10
  
• Deadline 06/09/10 - Decision Date 18/10/10

In addition to supporting disabled volunteers, the pilot will test different ways to apply for funds such as video applications and face-to-face pitches. The grant is being managed by a consortium comprising Charities Aid Foundation, RNIB and Digital Public.

Email Helen for more information.