Kingsley Organisation has been pioneering the development of opportunities for disabled adults to explore both paid and voluntary work as meaningful occupation since 1989. It has worked with people who have experienced many different types of disability, and was at the fore front of community inclusion, when it first opened it’s doors as Kingsley Centre, a community centre ran by disabled people and their enablers.  The Organisation uses psychodynamic counselling approaches, which recognises the value of developing the individual, exploring deeper concerns related to their disability and working to achieve a meaningful place in society.

The volunteer project has many positive experiences: many people developing new confidence and skills, benefiting from a supportive environment in which they can learn form the mistakes in a non-judgemental way, and gaining self-esteem from working as part of a community.

However finding opportunities to volunteer or move onto paid employment in the wider community have met less success.  Kingsley Organisation asks the question why?

Starting from the perspective that disabled people do face barriers to meaningful occupation, this piece of research aims to explore what these may be, from the perspectives of

• Disabled People
• Employers
• Employees
• Professional Specialists

It questions whether there are fears and preconceptions in all parties that effect opportunities for meaningful occupation and asks what solutions, if any, are there to this dilemma.

This research will take place in 2007, with the research report available to download in 2008.

For more information on our Supported Volunteering Project, including our current vacancies click on Supported Volunteering

Or you can contact me directly by email

jane@kingsleycentre.org.uk

I am based at Kingsley Centre, for telephone and address contact details please click Contact Us