The Supported Volunteering Project v2 The Supported Volunteering Project supports adults aged 18 and over in Greenwich with a learning disability or autism to get involved in volunteering, community activities, and employment pathways. Whether you are looking for this kind of support, or would like to become a mentor, this page will tell you what you need to know. I would like support to get involved in volunteering Getting involved in something new can feel like a big step. Our project gives you the time, patience and one-to-one support to build confidence at your own pace. For people with more complex needs, this might mean joining a weekly walking group or taking part in community activities like cookery or gardening alongside others. For people ready to build toward paid work, the project offers bespoke volunteering placements, one-to-one mentor support, and access to training such as a Customer Service course and employability workshops. In the past six years, the project has supported over 170 Greenwich residents, and eight out of ten have seen an improvement in their social, communication and life skills. Get in touch to find out if this support is right for you. Fill in the referral form Email: [email protected] I would like to become a Mentor and support others Have you found real benefit from volunteering yourself, perhaps building confidence, trying something new, or opening a door to work? You could use that experience to help someone else do the same. As a mentor, you will be matched with an adult with a learning disability who wants to volunteer, and work alongside them to identify their goals and take steps toward paid employment. You will receive six weeks of training and ongoing supervision and support from the VCG team. Every mentor who completed our training told us it improved their own chances of paid employment, and seven out of ten mentors stay on with us for further placements. Practical details An enhanced DBS check is required to volunteer as a mentor. The cost is covered by the project. Training is provided in full. Apply to be a Mentor What the programme achieves The project is funded by the Henry Smith Charity and the Royal Borough of Greenwich, working in partnership with Unity Works. Each year, the project: Supports adults across Greenwich with tailored mentoring and volunteering placements Recruits and trains new mentors to work alongside participants Develops bespoke volunteering roles with local community organisations Delivers employability support, including customer service and job-searching workshops Encourages wider community participation through activities such as walking groups, art sessions and cookery classes We hold the national Mentoring Quality Mark, recognising the standard of support we provide. 2024 2025 Achievements 24 individuals supported 18 residents trained as Mentors 58% of individuals entered volunteering roles or employment