# New grants aim to get more disabled people volunteering

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2009/11/17/new-grants-aim-get-more-disabled-people-volunteering/
- Published: 2009-11-17T12:24:37+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

![](https://www.fundraising.co.uk/files/images/news/access_to_volunteering.jpg)

Applications are now open for grants designed to help organisations enable more 
disabled people to volunteer. Grants of between £250 and £5,000, are available to
help overcome barriers that stop disabled people volunteering, such as specific 
equipment, a lack of suitable access and understanding of disability issues.

These grants are part of the £2 million ‘Access to Volunteering Fund’, which was
developed by the Office of the Third Sector as a pilot scheme in Greater London,
the West Midlands and the North West.

The fund operates between Autumn 2009 and Spring 2011 over five grant rounds. The
first deadline for applications is 1 December 2009. However, organisations unable
to submit an application by this date will have their applications considered in
future grant rounds.

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In addition to supporting disabled volunteers, the pilot will test different ways
to apply for funds such as video applications and face-to-face pitches.

The grant fund is being managed by a consortium comprising Charities Aid Foundation,
RNIB and Digital Public.

Angela Smith, Minister for the Third Sector, said: “Volunteering is an unbeatable
way to build confidence and skills and we want to get as many people as possible
volunteering with or without a disability. We know that there are many barriers 
stopping disabled people volunteering and this targeted fund aims to overcome these
limits.”

www.accesstovolunteering.org

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