12 August 2024
Havant volunteering scheme awarded more than £300,000 by National Lottery
Our Positive Pathways scheme based in Leigh Park has been awarded £302,954 by The National Lottery Community Fund!
The volunteering scheme is for Havant Borough residents aged 18+ who need help and support to volunteer in their community to help progress their life’s journey onto extended training, volunteering roles, or employment.
The attendees are people with a history of mental health issues, addiction, crime, crime victims or those who are vulnerable or have been unemployed for a long time receive support through team volunteering, mentoring, training workshops, social activities and an employment hub.
The group have enjoyed healthy cookery sessions, gardening in local schools and Wymering Manor, painting and decorating and conservation and feeding of animals at Butser Ancient Farm.
The funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, which distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes and is the largest community funder in the UK, will be given to Positive Pathways over five years to fund its new structured 24-week programme, which includes two to three weekly activities and a training session. This aims to help individuals to develop purpose, a sense of achievement, confidence and improve their wellbeing so they can move forward in their lives.
Tim Houghton, Chief Executive Officer of Community First, said: “We are grateful for this award from The National Lottery Community Fund which will enable us to continue supporting people to reconnect with their communities.
“Since 2017 we have helped over 300 clients to create their own pathways to live fuller, healthier lives, improve their confidence while gaining valuable work experience and eventually move them to individual volunteering roles or closer to employment.”
Individuals like Andrew who began volunteering with Positive Pathways to help his self-confidence, will benefit from the support this award will fund.
Andrew was referred to Positive Pathways by a mental health service. English is not his first language and his confidence and ability to communicate was affected by a stroke he had in 2022.
After six months on the Positive Pathways programme his mental wellbeing and speech has significantly improved.
Andrew said: “Positive Pathways is helping my mental health and my confidence so much. I always enjoy gardening and the skills workshops and have met so many new friends.
“I’ve received advice about looking for employment and I’m looking forward to starting speech therapy sessions soon.”