Whatever your age, or ability, get a sense of personal achievement and satisfaction by becoming a PASTEL volunteer!

Do you want to feel good about helping others, as well as meet new people and make new friends, add to your social life, learn new skills, create a useful addition to your CV and have fun? Then why not ask about becoming a PASTEL volunteer, whether on the management or operations side.

In particular, we are interested in other young adults (14-25) to act as volunteers and mentors. We provide induction, and further training for those interested.

If you're unemployed, volunteering with PASTEL could help you into work by building your skills and confidence. It could be the vital stepping stone you need to move into employment. As a volunteer with PASTEL, you could even gain a national Open College Network accreditation to add to your CV!In particular:

•• learn new skills •• practise the skills you have •• become more confident •• put some volunteering experience on your CV •• pick up good ideas from other people •• show employers you can keep regular hours and handle commitment •• meet people who can help you find paid work •• have things to talk about in a job interview,and •• get references.

However, we 're always interested to talk to anyone with experience in project management, administrative work, finance, fundraising, PR & media or teaching/training as well as general workshop support activities and work with those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

Our current volunteers range in age from 14 to over 80 and their support ranges from helping on the planning and management side to helping in the training workshops.

Here is some feedback from current volunteers in July, 2010:

reasons for vounteering to join the PASTEL team:

•  to complete service section of Duke of Edinburgh award.
•  looks good on CV.
•  to get some experience prior to returning to work following a stroke.
•  to gain practical experience working with children with learning disabilities
•  help with degree
•  to help people and gain skills and experience

things that volunteers have personally learnt at PASTEL:

•  not to "judge a book by its cover."
•  autism comes in so many forms and strengths.
•  that people with learning disabilities have a lot to teach us.
•  that working with people with learning disabilities can be lots of fun.
•  to listen to the contributions of others
•  become more of a team player.

•  patience.
•  understanding how people with learning disabilities are just like us - all have their own interests.
•  I have grown in confidence.
•  increased confidence and self-esteem.
•  life lessons and communication skills.

things that volunteers have learnt about the term "learning disabilities":

• that every case is different and how it could hinder you.
• the range of disabilities covers highly inteeligant as well as those lower down th learning spectrum.
• that it is just a label and that we should not discriminate against someone just because they are labelled as having "learning disabilities".
• that "learning disabilities" can easily be overcome with the right supportive educational environment.

enjoyment from volunteering at PASTEL:

•  It's a great atmosphere!
•  Its very relaxed whilst also maintaining discipline.
•  There is a lot of laughter.
•  I enjoy helping others.
•  I lke to see PASTEL clients gain in confidence.
•  doing something worthwhile and productive.

summing up the volunteering experience at PASTEL

•  Great fun.
•  Very inclusive.
•  A wonderful opportunity to learn - to be responsible and to make new friends.
•  A life-changing experience.that helps you make good friends with people with learning dsabilities - something you can hold on to in later life.
•  Very enjoyable - would highly recommend.
•  Thank you very much for letting me join, and stay on, to keep working with these amazing people.
•  Very enjoyable.
• I reckon that PASTEL rewards me more than I actually put into it.
•  There should be more placeslike this.

And, to find ut what PASTEL clients and their Parent / Carers have to say, please click here.

Please use the contact page to make your initial enquiry.