Abena Akuffo-Kelly FRSA’s Post

Young People: "A topic that’s not spoken about enough in fairness" The Business community truly appreciate what we are doing in supporting young people. They tell us that more support is needed and that: "Young people of today don‘t really have a voice." We have been overwhelmed with the amount of support we have received since taking our latest initiative the Genuine Futures - Changing Lives 'Big Charity Pop Up Car Wash' Events on the Road. We would like to take this opportunity to send our deepest gratitude to everyone who has supported us so far. We have been to: Blackpool X 2 Oldham Cheadle Stockport Old Trafford Manchester City Centre Newton Heath Manchester With further locations booked throughout June: Old Trafford Oldham Altrincham Burnley Liverpool Supporting young people remains our number one priority. Together We Can Make A Difference. Individuals and businesses can get involved by volunteering, donating, or sponsoring one of our programs. By supporting Genuine Futures, you are investing in the future of our community and the young people who will shape it. We firmly believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to break free from limitations and build a brighter, more fulfilling, and a genuine future for themselves. No one should be left behind. If you would like to give back to a great cause and pay-it- forward you can do so by visiting our donation page on our website by clicking the link below; https://lnkd.in/eP6hZk7m #youngpeople #lifeskills #unlockingpotential #employmentskills #customerserviceskills

Leading on this project with John Heritage and his team at David Lewis Centre has been one of the highlights of my Career. Often Co-production is seen as tokenism or something that we should do. Its is so much more, it is life changing when done properly..It is invigorating to set the conditions to hand the reins and decision making to those with whom the outcomes directly impact. It is the sign of a true Leader that is not afraid to hear what the users of services want, let this actively design the road map of the future and commit to supporting the initiatives they wish to be prioritised. There can be no better achievement than giving those with a Disability a platform to be just as able as anyone else. The humility and cooperation that both of the Co-Chairs have shown to each other and the wider David Lewis beneficiaries , many Chairman and leaders could learn from. Listening to each other, lobbying for the priorities the people they represent have voted for (even if they personally dont favour). Engagement to the cause and the people they have been elected to serve. Never missing or being late to a meeting. NOT having a laptop on or phones vibrating! Communication, understanding through their own experiences that just because some one cannot speak...doesnt mean they dont have something valuable to say. Caring enough to 'hear' using all of the senses. Equitable Status is sitting with the top table, influencing the design and direction of travel and outcomes that are actually wanted. Equity is this perfect balance of shaping the future together with lived experience at the very core. Want a fantastic Exec Team 💐 What a way to keep this wonderful Charity current for the next 100 years. #co-production #co-design #chairmanship #equity #alittlepieceofhistory David Lewis Centre @maria@flanagan-associates.co.uk 💐

We're excited to share the results of our recent Volunteer Community Survey! Here's what we found: Volunteers have given overwhelmingly positive feedback. This speaks volumes about the incredible work charities are doing to offer meaningful and rewarding opportunities. Well done to all the organisations providing such great experiences! Key takeaways for the future: Along with the positive feedback, the survey has highlighted areas for growth and given direction for a volunteer strategy for the Bailiwick. Want a quick look? Check out the summary below or for a deeper dive into the full report https://shorturl.at/9JJfw #WithoutUs

I want to speak to the reality of community work. The overwhelming majority of this work is done by individuals trying to solve a problem without the resources. But there’s also an unfortunate reality of many people who have been given the resources misusing them or not engaging in solutions as effectively as possible. So I come to folks asking them to consider supporting us financially fully knowing the stories and experiences that cause people to not want to donate. But I ask folks to consider how much they spend every week on purchases that they admit they don’t need or that they then regret shortly afterwards or that could be bought for cheaper with a little extra effort (not to mention all the automatic payments coming out of people’s accounts for memberships and subscriptions they haven’t used since Vin Baker played for the Bucks). Within those experiences exists support that could go towards the various efforts around the city, the state and the country to try and help empower people and make society stronger and healthier. I could go into and on and out about this topic as it is what I have committed my life too. So I’ll just sum it up with a simple request. People who have committed their lives to community work or are involved in it every day, need to be challenged and held accountable to the responsibilities we carry. But more than anything we need support to fulfill those responsibilities. We are extremely grateful for everyone that has donated to our end of the year, giving campaign up to this point. But we still have a ways to go before the year is out. With your gift, we can continue pushing for reform, decarceration, and empowering people with criminal records to thrive. Thank you for everyone helping with this work across the country and those that support in the different ways they can even if unable to donate. 🙏 -Shannon Ross With just a few weeks left to hit our goal, here’s how you can help: 1. Donate: Any amount helps! Whether it’s $25, $50, $100, or more, your donation will bring us closer to the $10,000 match. GIVE TODAY >> https://bit.ly/TCEoY24 2. Spread the word: Share our campaign with your network—help us reach new supporters who believe in the power of community and education for system-impacted individuals.

A glimpse into how we've supported individuals across Loughborough over the past year. Read more in our Annual Report...https://lnkd.in/ektKGKPR #loughborough #leicestershire #charityimpact #nonprofitorganisation #charitywork #charnwood #communitywork #communitysupport #workingtowardsempoweringcommunities

Do you know a young person who has gone above and beyond in the Cambridge community? 1. Someone who has put other people’s needs first with an act of fundraising? 2. A young person who has shown bravery to help others or save life? 3. A young carer who has gone above and beyond what would be expected of someone of their age? If so, why not nominate them for this year’s 2024 Inspirational YoungStars awards evening, being held jointly for the 3rd year running by https://lnkd.in/e2M29sGN & https://lnkd.in/eaCqaw_Z Nomination forms in the above links The awards evening is being held at the Cambridge United Signature Suite on Friday, 5 July, with the awards recognising youngsters between the ages of 7 and 16 with a special story to tell. Categories are: Young Carer – Do you know someone who is a primary or secondary carer who is going above and beyond what is expected of most people their age? It could be looking after parents or helping care for a brother or sister, doing extra jobs around the home such as cooking, cleaning or helping someone get dressed and moving around, or providing physical help. Outstanding Bravery – Do you know someone who has shown an act of bravery to help others or save life? Do you know someone who has shown tremendous courage in a difficult situation? Fundraiser – A person who has exceeded all expectations in raising money for a good cause, however large or small the amount. It could be from a marathon running, walking or cycling effort, to organising a cake sale. There are so many great initiatives and ideas that capture the imagination. Are you a charity that has benefited first-hand from the actions of a young fundraiser who is deserving of a nomination? Or did you assist a youngster in bringing an activity into action? Unsung Hero – For someone that may volunteer their time and make a difference to other people’s lives and deserves recognition for doing so. This category is all-encompassing but seeks to recognise someone who may do the small things that end up making a big difference. It could be someone that offers to do the weekly shop or gardening for a neighbour? Or it could be someone that just calls in to help an elderly or vulnerable person? They may be relatively simple deeds, but they can have a huge impact on the beneficiaries and the community around them.

If your organisation is considering either involving volunteers for the first time or evaluating how it welcomes volunteers, this guide aims to give you simple guidelines and practical information so that your organisation can plan for successful volunteer involvement. Read the full article here : https://lnkd.in/eNrPemhb. If you are a group, charity or an social enterprise based in Oadby & Wigston; and would like to find out how VAL can support your organisation in Volunteer recruitment, please connect for a chat 😊 ! #volunteer #VCSE #VAL

A few weeks ago, I received a thank-you letter and certificate from Bookmark Reading Charity, a UK charity sparking a love of reading in children. I've previously posted on LinkedIn about their incredible work and my experience as a reading volunteer. If you'd like to learn more or get involved, follow the link below. Plus, you can spot my other hobbies in the picture! 📕 🔖 ➡ https://lnkd.in/e8PFsJEz #bookmarkreading #volunteering #childhoodliteracy #ReadingVolunteers #IgniteTheJoyOfReading

People often message us and ask "How do I get involved in professional pro bono?" It is really very simple! Follow these quick steps: 1. Follow us on LinkedIn for some choice profiles of potential roles, across professional disciplines, across the UK! 2. Go visit Reach Volunteering's website (link below) and browse the 2,100+ current live professional volunteering roles (including over 1,000 trustee/governor roles) online with charities and non-profits across all types of focus! 3. If you don't find something immediately, sign up for their alerts, if you do find something, don't hesitate and put in an application. 4. Enjoy and cherish the impact you bring to your chosen organisation! (5. Tell us about it!) #FifthDay #ProfessionalProBono #ProBono https://lnkd.in/eVNeuTha

All hands on deck means you. And your friends and family and colleagues and community connections. Our Capacity Campaign is our first big fundraiser and it comes with a BIG goal. And behind that monetary goal is an even more important goal; meeting the basic material needs of everyone in Maine who needs support. We want to partner with more providers and organizations. We want to take in more material items, welcome more volunteers and strengthen this community effort so that when someone is in a spot where all else has failed, they have somewhere to turn. Supporting our fundraiser can mean giving money but it doesn't have to. If you're someone with money to give, please do. If you're not in the position to contribute financially, that's okay! Either way, you can share our posts, tell others about our fundraiser or even start your own peer-to-peer fundraiser on our Campaign page. You can donate material items or ask your workplace to start a collection box. You can come volunteer. This effort is for you to join and support how you can, when you can. Let's dig in and grow our reach so we can build a community where no one has to go without. maineneeds.org/capacity Start your own fundraiser at https://lnkd.in/ep6QsVRU Sign up to volunteer at maineneeds.org/volunteer LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE & SAVE 🫶