How To Help A Disability Charity

Disabilities come in all different forms, and some are visible, while others are not. It's estimated that there are over 11 million people with some kind of disability in the UK. Shockingly, 180 disability-related hate crimes are reported in the UK every single day.

WHY VOLUNTEER WITH A DISABILITY CHARITY?

Whether you want to campaign for disabled people's rights or provide practical support for people who are affected by a disability, there are so many people out there who rely on charitable organisations for help. They couldn't do the wonderful work they do on a daily basis without the help of volunteers.

Volunteering for a disability charity is a great way to improve the lives of others. As well as making a genuine difference, you could also meet some wonderful new people while building up your experience in the charity sector.

HOW TO HELP DISABILITY CHARITIES

Get Sporty

Taking part in sports can be a really positive way for disabled people to enjoy both physical and mental health benefits. Exercise releases happy hormones, so sports charities like Lord's Taverners, the UK's leading youth cricket and disability sports charity, can play a huge part in improving disabled people's wellbeing. You could get involved by coaching cricket or supporting people as they try different wheelchair sports.

Help With Horses

Horse riding can be a hugely beneficial form of physical therapy for people with certain disabilities. The rhythm of a horse's movement simulates how the spine, pelvis and other muscles work together when humans walk, allowing riders to build core strength, balance and coordination. Whether you’re a qualified instructor or you just want to muck in with looking after the horses, you could reach out to a charity like Riding for the Disabled Association to see how you could help.

Support Older People

Almost half of all disabled people in the UK are over the state pension age, and 80% of people aged 85 and over are disabled in some way. Charities like Re-engage help older people through initiatives such as befriending services. You could help by volunteering as a befriender, allowing you to make a real and lasting difference in the life of an older disabled person.

Moderate An Online Community

Online forums and message boards have become increasingly popular as a way for people to communicate with people going through similar experiences as themselves. As a moderator, you could help by ensuring any messages posted to an online community are appropriate, allowing people to feel safe and comfortable as they seek and share advice and support.

Teach Wheelchair Skills

Almost 10% of disabilities require the use of a wheelchair. It's important that those who need a wheelchair have access to the right training, so they can use their chair safely. Charities like Whizz-Kidz provide this training for those in need. The charity helps disabled children and young people to learn how to use their chair, enjoy fun experiences and learn new skills. You could help a charity like this in lots of ways, including by volunteering on residential trips.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU VOLUNTEER

If you choose to get involved with a role where you'll be around children, you'll need to complete a DBS check. Previously known as a CRB check, it ensures you don't have anything on your record that prevents you from working with young people, and will usually be paid for by the charity you're volunteering with.

WHERE TO GET STARTED

Look out for volunteering opportunities with the fantastic charities listed below:

• Lord's Taverners
• Re-engage
• Riding for the Disabled Association
• Whizz-Kidz

HELPING DESERVING CAUSES

If you'd like to know more about getting involved in volunteering in your community, take a look at our Local Causes page and find opportunities near you.