UK volunteering charity, CSV is urging social care professionals to include volunteers as part of the menu of options to help people with disabilities to live independently.   Recent changes to rules on personal care budgets have increased the scope to involve volunteers in quality personalised care as an alternative to more expensive options.

CSV is asking social workers to consider the option of CSV’s full-time volunteers for adults and young people who have a personal budget for their social care. CSV Choices provides personalised care though volunteers to help adults and young people lead independent lives.

CSV’s full-time volunteers are carefully selected and matched to meet the needs of service users and are recruited from the UK and internationally. They are all aged 18 – 35; supporting adults and young people in their own home for up to one year at a time. The volunteers support them in their daily life, including helping with personal care, visiting friends and family, writing emails and letters, socialising, going to work and making meals.

Volunteers have been described as an “extended family” by Jo and John Austen. Jo has been severely disabled since birth with cerebral palsy; she cannot walk or speak. CSV volunteers have been supporting Jo to live independently for 31 years and many have become lifelong friends. “We’ve had around 130 volunteers from all over the world; they bring enthusiasm, commitment and warmth into our lives. Our international volunteers have taught us about their cultures and we help them with their English. We can’t imagine a life without CSV.”

Jack, a wheelchair user, is an international award-winner for table tennis and has two volunteers supporting him at University. He says, “They are my age and they love sport the same as me, so we had lots to talk about as soon as we met, and we are good friends. They’ve helped make my transition to University easier than it would have been. Best of all though, at my University table tennis league matches they always come along and pick up the balls for me!”

CSV volunteers can help people live in their homes, without the risk of having to move back in with their parents or go to a rehabilitation centre. Hannah, 31 lived away from home for six years before her diagnosis with progressive motor neurone disease in her early twenties. Support from CSV volunteers allow her to stay in her own home but close by to her parents, whilst maintaining her independence.

Carol Williams from CSV says “We have over 45 years of experience recruiting and matching full-time volunteers to help people find the freedom and independence to live life on their own terms. It is at the heart of what we do. Volunteers are dynamic, flexible and most importantly, they are there because they want to be. It’s clear there are benefits for more care professionals to include volunteers amongst the options that can provide the best possible care for service users.”

Social worker, Chris Field, from Norfolk County Council, highly regards volunteers, she says, “In my experience CSV volunteers are an excellent resource for service users; they are a constant figure for people who may have many different professionals coming in and out of their lives. Their lives benefit from the culturally enriching experience that volunteers bring; some of them are from different parts of the world and they teach the service users new foods, traditions and languages. The volunteers are young, vibrant and great friends but remain totally professional. I couldn't ask for a better service, it's been 100% positive."

For more information about CSV Choices, speak to our business development team on 01223 728 460 or email solutions@csv.org.uk

For press information, including interviews with service users: Francesca Toma on 020 7812 0037 / 07966168686 ftoma@csv.org.uk or Jason Tanner on 07941 433598 / 020 7812 0038 jtanner@csv.org.uk

Notes for Editors

CSV (Community Service Volunteers) creates opportunities for people to take an active part in the life of their communities through volunteering, training and community action. Every year CSV helps transform the lives of over 1 million people. Last year 165,666 people gave their time as volunteers through CSV. The charity worked with 13,423 learners of all ages.  www.csv.org.uk