A Harrogate charity is staging a number of public events in order to recruit “buddies” for its latest initiative.
Supported by former England goalkeeper Nigel Martyn – and facilitated by a recent Government grant of £70,000 – Disability Action Yorkshire is seeking volunteers, or buddies, to aid younger disabled people to achieve their “Own Goals”.
To help achieve this and to raise awareness of the initiative, the charity will have a presence in Harrogate’s Victoria Gardens Shopping Centre on Tuesday, 16 August 2016.
Over the last three weeks, the Own Goals team have been at Harrogate District Hospital, The Hydro, Morrison’s supermarket and at the Happygate event in the Valley Gardens.
Disability Action Yorkshire’s Chief Executive Jackie Snape said:
The overriding aim of the Own Goals initiative is to help a host of young disabled people achieve goals that they have set for themselves.
We have secured government funding and now we need the ‘buddies’ to help it succeed.
The buddies we are looking for will provide support and companionship and help disabled people achieve their own goals – be they day to day activities or ones that are more adventurous.
In addition to next week’s Victoria Gardens event, Disability Action Yorkshire will be visiting next month’s Harrogate College Fresher’s Fair, in the hope of attracting younger buddies.
Mrs Snape added:
The age of disabled people desiring a buddy is between 16 and 30, making young people ideal volunteers.
The opportunity is a golden one for those pursuing a future in care work or who are working towards their Duke of Edinburgh’s award. We have some fantastic young volunteers and all of them find their experiences incredibly rewarding.
All buddies will be able to choose flexible volunteering hours and will be provided with full training and support whilst in the buddy role.
Further information about Disability Action Yorkshire’s Own Goals scheme is available from karen.minteh@da-y.org.uk or by calling Karen Minteh on 01423 855412
