GoldStar - Snapshot Age Concern - Promoting good practice in managing volunteers from socially excluded groups

Home

GoldStar - Promoting good practice in managing volunteers from socially excluded groups

GoldStar Projects

Good Practice Toolkit

Ambassador Bank

Volunteer Case Studies

Other Useful Information

Snapshots


Project	Description
Brighton Unemployed Centre Families Project	Helping unemployed people to challenge the effects of poverty and disadvantage

Brighton Unemployed Centre Families Project (BUCFP) aims to provide a package of practical, volunteer run services, which help unemployed people and their families challenge the effects of poverty and disadvantage. The project has at its heart an ethos of empowerment through self-help. People disadvantaged by unemployment, poverty, ill-health, lack of opportunity and poor housing can access the integrated and practical services, while at the same time coming together to work to improve both their own and others' quality of life.

There are two main strands to the Centre’s objectives. The first involves the provision of a range of integrated and practical services for over 2,000 unemployed, unwaged and low waged people and their families; the second arises from BUCFP’s twin ethos of self-help and empowerment. Both strands work together to respond to immediate needs, while at the same time providing a safe space for disadvantaged and vulnerable people to get their lives back on track.

The Participation Project creates a wide range of volunteering opportunities for participation at all levels to suit a range of abilities, skills and commitment; almost all users participate in the day-to-day running of the project in some way. There are six main projects run by teams of volunteers, supported by part time paid workers and organised around a day centre setting. These projects are: Participation, Education, Kitchen/Office, Temporary Housing Support, Playroom and Family Support, and Welfare Rights. In conjunction with these main projects a wide range of activities offer something for all levels of participation, including an Arts and Crafts Group, Creative Writing Group, Food Awareness Group and Walking Group.

The project provides excellent opportunities for users/volunteers to participate at different levels and to progress through the organisation as they become more involved, participate in more activities, undertake training and take on responsibilities. This organic progression in a supportive community, allows people to move at their own pace and provides significant and lasting benefits for people facing social exclusion, allowing them to challenge their disadvantage and make changes in their lives. Volunteers can move on to run their own groups, with the support of the Participation Worker, e.g. creative writing group, art group, magazine group, etc.

In relation to monitoring and evaluation, Brighton Unemployed Centre Families Project is working closely with Brighton University who are tracking the progress of 30 volunteers as part of their research into volunteering at the Centre. The Centre also undertakes an annual evaluation which involves compiling case studies providing personal experiences of the impact services have on user’s lives.

Back to Snaphots