Chelmsford volunteer project gets commendation

11:12am Thursday 15th May 2008

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A CHELMSFORD volunteer project has been commended in a regional health and social care competition.

The extra support needs project Young Buddy Scheme' run by the Volunteer Centre Chelmsford was put forward for the award because of its success in helping young people, with support needs from within the Chelmsford borough, to get into volunteering.

The judges were told how the Young Buddy Scheme works and what diverse levels of support it offers to the volunteers.

There are few volunteer centres nationwide which offer a project for people with extra support needs and, even fewer, which extend this help specifically for young people.

The centre identified that more and more 16 to 24 year olds were asking for support, and so the Young Buddy Scheme was created in response to this.

Pauline Pickering, volunteer support worker, said: "It has been incredibly rewarding to see our two volunteer buddies develop and grow as a result of their involvement in the scheme. The initiative has completely outstripped our expectations."

So, if you are interested in volunteering, whether you need support or not, and whatever your age, contact the Volunteer Centre on 01245 283606 to find out more, or visit the website www.chelmsfordvolunteers.co.uk.