A VOLUNTEERS scheme which helps people across the city who are lonely or isolated will be able to continue its good work for the next three years after being awarded £225,000 from the National Lottery.
Voluntary Action Coventry’s Chat Central enables the people it helps to connect with others and get involved in their local community.
It offers a range of activities which help recipients have fun, join in, meet new friends and improve their quality of life.
Several projects run by Voluntary Action help support people’s mental health and wellbeing.
Sue Ogle, CEO of Voluntary Action Coventry said everyone was delighted with the funding and that the much-needed support could continue.
“Over the next three years we aim to help reduce isolation and increase the confidence and self-esteem of around 400 people by supporting them into volunteering.”
Suleman Bismillah joined the Chat Central group as a volunteer and then a participant after finding himself out of work.
He has since gone on to volunteer at several organisations in Coventry and now has paid employment in the retail sector.
He said: “If it wasn’t for services such as this, I don’t know where I would have ended up.
“I left my previous job without any plan for the future and had no idea how hard it would be to get back into work.
“Being part of this group has given my life structure and really helped me psychologically. It has been a real help in getting me back into employment.”
Visit vacoventry.org.uk for more on Coventry Voluntary Action.
