HAFAD - Hammersmith and Fulham Action on Disability - and H&F Volunteer Centre (HFVC) have been awarded £300,000 for a three year volunteering project for disabled young people.

The project has two goals, firstly to train and support young disabled people to volunteer – preparing them for the world of work.

The second goal is to train and support local voluntary organisations to provide accessible and challenging volunteer opportunities for young disabled people.

In a time of high and rising youth unemployment many young people use volunteering or unpaid internships to get valuable work experience. Young disabled people are often excluded because employers are nervous about the work involved, health and safety and the costs of any specialist equipment.

Through this project HFVC will work with voluntary sector organisations giving them disability equality training, support to manage disabled volunteers and will loan them the specialist equipment. Meanwhile HAFAD will give young disabled people the support and training they need to learn work skills, to raise their aspirations and develop their independence.

" This Big Lottery grant will allow us to support young disabled people now and create a lasting change in the sector," says Kamran Mallick, HAFAD Director. " I am so glad that after so many years, HFVC and HAFAD have come together to provide a service which is needed for disabled people, and particularly disabled young people.

For more information about the work of HAFAD and its services, including the upcoming February Youth Scheme running from February 13 to 17, visit the website or call 020 7471 8510.

To find out more about Hammersmith and Fulham Volunteer Centre, and how get involved, visit the website or call 020 8741 9876.

January 17, 2012