London: Capital Volunteering

Capital Volunteering is a pan-London programme which aims to tackle issues of mental health and social inclusion, through volunteering. Its lead partners are CSV and the London Development Centre. The programme was initially funded for four years by the Treasury through its Invest to Save Budget (ISB).

“Volunteering has given me shape to my day, has made me hopeful about the future and I actually seem to be doing something positive for the people there”.
Capital Volunteer, Lewisham

Since 2004, over 5000 people with mental health issues have experienced or are experiencing improvements in the social inclusion aspects of their lives, as a result of their participation in Capital Volunteering. Our experience and the Institute of Psychiatry (IoP) evaluation of Capital Volunteering has shown that volunteering can help people:

• Combat feelings of personal isolation
• Develop or rediscover self-confidence and self-esteem
• Build new friendships and social relationships
• Acquire new skills and knowledge
• Access education and employment opportunities
•  Combat stigma and discrimination

Click here to find out more about Capital Volunteering.

Nottinghamshire Healthcare

CSV is also working with the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust to expand the involvement of volunteers in supporting adults within Adult Mental Health, and then to develop volunteering Trust-wide.

Please click here for more information about the project: Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust.