The Access to Volunteering Fund will support projects that overcome barriers to disabled people volunteering, that increase the number of disabled volunteers, or that widen the range of organisations offering support to disabled volunteers.

How it works

As the Access to Volunteering Fund is a pilot, we will be trialing new and innovative approaches to grant funding and are keen to look at different ways of supporting disabled volunteers.

We are particularly interested in applications that lead to employment opportunities for volunteers, seek to use new technology or offer greater value for money and quality of service.

To find out more see our Application Pack which is available in a variety of formats including PDF, Easy Read and MP3.

Timetable

Five grant funding will be available in the three test areas between autumn 2009 and spring 2011. Awards of between £250 and £5,000 will be available.

There are five deadlines for applications and five decision dates for awards. If you miss one deadline we will put your application into the next one.

Deadline Decision
1 01/12/2009 11/01/2010
2 08/02/2010 22/03/2010
3 19/04/2010 11/06/2010
4 28/06/2010 09/08/2010
5 06/09/2010 18/10/2010

Decision making and panel recruitment

Applications will be assessed and awarded by a local panel of experts recruited from volunteers. If you live in one of the three test areas and are interested in becoming a volunteer panel member contact CAF on 03000 123 346 or enquiries@accesstovolunteering.org.

Who can apply

The fund is open to public or third sector organisations that work with volunteers. Applying bodies will need to either be registered with the Charity Commission, have a HMRC number, or have a charitable purpose. All organisations must have a strong local presence in either Greater London, the West Midlands or the North West of England.

We are keen to see applications from organisations who do not currently provide support for disabled volunteers.

If you are an individual wanting to volunteer with the help of an Access to Volunteering Fund grant, then you will need to speak to the organisation you wish to volunteer for and ask them to apply on your behalf.

Grant Awards

To date 95 Access to Volunteering grants have been awarded. To find out more about our funded projects see the Awards Page.