Me2 Club is an inclusion charity which aims to tackle the isolation and exclusion which can impact children and young people with additional needs and disabilities. We do this by training specialist volunteers, pairing them with a child or young adult to support them during leisure activities they wouldn’t otherwise have been able to enjoy. We’re proud to say that our volunteers help to give vulnerable children the opportunity to make friends, grow in confidence and experience independence – something all children need and deserve.

Like most charities, our volunteers are so important to us; their altruism, generosity of spirit and passion for what they do is instrumental to our services. The voice of our volunteers is so important, and today we wanted to shine a spotlight on the volunteer stories of a handful of the wonderful people who make Me2 Club what it is.

LAIBA’S STORY

“My own sister struggles to attend mainstream activities without someone else’s assistance, and having that personal experience is partly what drove me to volunteer with Me2 Club. I’ve been partnered with Alex, who I support at ninja gymnastics.  It’s inspiring to see him try so hard every week to learn new skills and interact with his peers and teacher, and his incredible persistence has been rewarded with the certificates and awards he’s earned.

I’m proud to know that I’ve played a small part in helping Alex become less dependent on his family and more comfortable being around new people. I’m also happy to know that the time I volunteer gives the family a little respite break.

Volunteering with Me2 Club isn’t just a one-way street; yes, it makes an impact on the young person you will work with – but the volunteer also benefits, becoming more patient and developing soft skills. Creating a relationship with my young person and seeing it develop over the sessions has been a gift and is something that I definitely recommend to others.”

MIRANDA’S STORY

“For me, the best part of volunteering has been getting to know and support a fantastic boy called Buster and his amazing family. Each week I help him go swimming at the local pool, repeating instructions, demonstrating activities, helping him be more social and assisting him when things are a little tricky for him. Over the last year we’ve built a really strong bond and its lovely seeing him every week.

I would 100% recommend volunteering! It’s so rewarding seeing Buster improve week on week. And it’s helped me too, teaching me to be more confident talking to new people; I’ve really seen my confidence and communication skills improve as I adapt to help my young person in the best way. I now understand better how to explain and convey information, which will help me in my future. I’ve also learned the importance of inclusion for everyone.

I’m so glad I found Me2 Club and get to help a fantastic child on a personal level. It’s amazing fun, the Me2 Club team are fabulous, and I’ve always felt so supported.”

JULIE’S STORY

“I’ve always been involved in volunteering and was initially attracted to Me2 Club because I loved the idea of supporting inclusivity by enabling children to join in mainstream activities and making a real difference to one child. I support Max at Cubs and am here to help him engage in the activities, encourage him when he struggles or loses interest and, maybe most importantly, support him making friends.

Taking this role has really opened my eyes to the importance of inclusivity, of play, of friendship and it’s a big impact on how I interact in people more broadly.

It’s a hugely rewarding role. Seeing Max thriving at his activity, building social skills, trying new things and getting more confident is lovely, and the thought that I’m playing a small part in this makes me so happy. I feel very lucky to be able to build a bond with this lovely, smart and caring young man, and hope that knowing that I’m here to support him also takes a little of the pressure and worry away from his mum.”

BINIT’S STORY

“Volunteering with Me2 Club you are building relationships, not just with your young person but also with their family, which is important because often they need emotional support too. 

Doing this has helped me improve my social skills, get me out of the house and talk to people who from different age groups to me. I think the biggest personal benefit is that my experience with Me2 Club has made me more employable: when I was applying for support worker positions over summer, having the role on my CV was helpful in interviews and it’s also been useful to prepare me for a career in psychology.

I feel like there is a misconception that people think they don’t have enough time for volunteering, but what surprised me about helping Me2 Club is that volunteering has required a smaller time investment than I initially thought; for just 2 hours a week I’m making a difference – and certainly getting more out of the time than I would have otherwise.

My advice to those looking to volunteer is find something you have some kind of connection to. Then it never feels like a chore and is always enjoyable. Personally, I think it is a great experience and everyone could dedicate an hour or two hours out of their week for volunteering!”

To learn more about Me2 Club and our volunteering opportunities, we’d love you to visit our website and follow our social channels for all our latest updates:

Visit our website: me2club.org.uk

Follow us on Twitter: @me2club

Like us on Facebook: @me2clubcharity

Follow us on Instagram: @me2club

Me2 Club is an inclusion charity which aims to tackle the isolation and exclusion which can impact children and young people with additional needs and disabilities. Our objective is to enable them to join in with regular leisure activities like uniformed groups, sports clubs and drama groups. As a local charity we are lucky to have wonderful volunteers who help support us to achieve our aims and objectives.

There are so many ways to give voluntary support to a charity, and one of the most rewarding means of doing this is to join the Board of Trustees. But what does a Trustee do?  And what does it take to make a good Trustee? In this article we’ll dive into the voluntary Trustee role, and why becoming one might be just up your street.

To begin at the beginning: the role of a charity Trustee (and why it’s important)

The Board of Trustees of a charity are the voluntary body who have ultimate responsibility for that charity – it’s their role to manage, govern and control the charity and to make decisions about the charity’s policies, objectives and strategies.

Among other things, Trustees ensure their charity has a clear strategy, and that its work and goals are in line with its vision. The Trustee mission is to be the ‘guardians of purpose’, making sure that all decisions put the needs of the charity beneficiaries first. They safeguard the charity’s physical and intangible assets and make sure that the charity is run sustainably. 

Despite the huge diversity in terms of the size and objectives of their charities, they have the same basic duty—making sure their charity is doing what it was set out to do!

What skills and experience does a trustee need?

A good Trustee needs an overarching set of qualities, like being a good team player, having excellent listening skills, exercising good critical thinking, having sound judgement, being able to think strategically and seeing the bigger picture.

On top of this, some Trustees bring specialist skills to the table, and for this professional expertise comes into play, such as Trustees who call on their background in finance, marketing, fundraising, human resources or IT to help advise the charity.

One Trustee role that is a little different from the others is the Chair; a role which provides leadership and direction to the rest of the Board and acts on behalf of the Board of Trustees in case of emergency. Like all Trustee roles, being a Chair is voluntary, but brings a significant responsibility with it, such as overseeing legal compliance, fulfilment of statutory objectives, reviewing Board performance and more.

It’s important to have a well-rounded Board of Trustees, so the voluntary Trustees a charity takes on will depend upon the existing skills and experience of current Board members. There are various ways Trustees can be selected to join the Board; Me2 Club’s Board of Trustees vote on who is appointed to ensure a balanced and comprehensive range of skills are present, while other charities may appoint Trustees based on a vote by members who use the charity.

Focus on Me2 Club trustees

At Me2 Club we’re lucky to have an exceptionally skilled and experienced Board made up of 5 Trustee members, who each bring the breadth of their expert knowledge in fields like finance, education, PR and marketing to the table in their work with us. 

One thing which unites all of our Trustees is their passion for our cause; the inclusion of children and young people with additional needs in mainstream activities within their local communities.

Many of our Trustees start off as fundraising volunteers who then go on to offer their services as a Trustee having been so moved by the positive impact Me2 Club has in improving the life experiences of the children and young people it supports.

Why become a trustee?

Being a Trustee means you have one of the most important and exciting roles within a charity. Along with the CEO, you will set the direction of the organisation and share responsibility for ensuring it achieves its aims. 

The role offers the opportunity for professional development and gives the opportunity to gain experience of strategy and leadership. It will give you experience of being a non-executive director, exercising skills like setting a strategic vision, influencing, negotiating and managing risk.

Becoming a Trustee is a rewarding way to help your community and great method to learn new skills. It’s an invigorating and dynamic role, which puts you at the very heart of a charity.

How to choose the charity for you

Before you decide to put yourself forward for a Trustee role, think about how much time you have to give and what your skills are. Are you interested in a particular cause? Most people who become Trustees do so with charities that are tackling the issues they care about and which are close to their heart.

Local charities are a good place to start for a first-time Trustee, and really great to work with because you can see the positive effects which can be hugely encouraging and rewarding.

If there’s a local charity you’re interested in working with, reach out to ask about whether they’re looking for Trustees and what kind of specialist skills would be helpful to them.  Trustees are a friendly bunch, and will doubtless be happy to talk or even meet up to discuss your interests!

Find out more about Me2 Club

To learn more about Me2Club’s aims and objectives we’d love you to visit our website, or you can follow our social channels for all our latest updates:

Visit our website: me2club.org.uk

Follow us on Twitter: @me2club

Like us on Facebook: @me2clubcharity

Follow us on Instagram: @me2club

Like small charities across the UK, Me2 Club is still in the process of responding to the various ways Covid affected the non-profit sector. Even pre-pandemic, small charities faced specific challenges; and with the repercussions of coronavirus still rolling around, there are now even more moving parts to factor in.

While the challenges are undeniable, as a charity we keep rising to them.  But what does this look like in practical terms? As a small charity, how do we “make it work”? To find out please click here.

In an ideal world everyone would play an active part in giving back to society, and that’s not just at an individual level; it’s about businesses doing their bit too. Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) policy refers to the measurable efforts taken by a company to improve society and contribute towards sustainable development.  The social component includes many and various factors, from how a company interacts with their employees to product quality; it also includes the topics of philanthropy and community relations.

 

What are the opportunities for corporate philanthropy?

 

At Me2 Club we welcome businesses and individuals who want to help us tackle the social isolation and loneliness experienced by children with additional needs, and often find that our mission resonates with those who have been personally affected by exclusion.

Like all local charities, Me2 Club relies on support from our community and the businesses within it. If your business has been wanting to get involved with a local charity but wasn’t sure how to go about it, here are some suggestions:

 

Pennies from heaven

 

One way to contribute to a charity is direct donation through a charity’s website or a charity fundraising platform like Me2 Club – JustGiving whether this is attached to a specific campaign or an ad hoc donation.  But corporate financial support can also take other forms which are just as impactful, and fundraising doesn’t always mean putting your hand in your own pocket.

 

• Payroll giving / give as you earn

Payroll giving enables employees to give to any UK charity straight from their salary. Donations are tax-efficient because they are taken before tax is applied, which means the charity receives more of the employees’ donations and it costs the donor less. Why not ask your employer if they offer a payroll giving scheme and, if not, recommend they start one.

 

• Match funding

This allows employees to boost their fundraising, since their employer matches the money they’ve raised. Some companies offer this on a pound-for-pound basis, while others will specify the capped amount they’re prepared to give. It’s a great way to increase employee engagement by showing support for the charities they care about.

 

• Foundations

Corporate foundations offer a unique interface between business and society, setting out a clear intent and consistent long-term commitment for delivering positive change. It’s a tax efficient and focussed way to make a real and lasting difference to the causes you care about, providing an effective way to channel, monitor and publicise the impact of your giving to targeted charities.

 

• Fundraising activities and events

There are hundreds of corporate fundraising opportunities which can bring a company, its’ staff and their stakeholders together. From auctions and sponsored dress-up days to bake sales and company sports days, the only limit to the fun and engaging way of raising funds is your imagination!

 

• Nominate a charity of the year

Charity of the year can last one or several years and allows a business to officially partner with the charity of their choice, working together to raise awareness and funds. As well as helping with ESG objectives this can boost staff morale, as employees recognise that their hard work is contributing to something beyond the four walls of their office.

 

“Boyes Turner are really pleased to be able to offer support to Me2Club as a local charity that supports children and young people with additional needs access mainstream activities. We’ve made donations to the Christmas Appeal, and attended the Easter and Summer Family party events as well, giving time to help the staff at the events. Me2Club gives the young people they support independence and the families some well needed respite.  The volunteers are an inspiration as well and we know the demand the charity faces will only grow so we hope to continue to fundraise for the charity in the future.”

Julie Marsh, Partner

            Boyes Tuner LLP

Time is a precious gift

 

Money is important but it’s not the be-all-and-end-all!  Charities wouldn’t survive without the time they are freely given by their supporters. Here are just some of the ways a business can help by giving time:

 

• Volunteer

Corporate-funded volunteering days allow employees to give their time to a charity whilst still being paid by their employer. At Me2Club, we don’t have the kind of physical space where people can come and physically work on refurbishing a building, so our “fundraising friends” help us fundraise at stalls and events and we have volunteers who support our teens to plan and run fundraising activities, getting involved with the wider community and developing important life skills in the process. We’d love to hear from you if you’d like to volunteer for Me2 Club.

 

• Be a trustee

Me2 Club have a fantastic board of trustees, ‘guardians of purpose’ who make sure that all our decisions put the needs of children and their families first. Our trustees are passionate about ensuring inclusion for all children and teenagers, have a wealth of experience and skills they want to share and are great at thinking strategically and seeing the bigger picture. If this sounds like you, we’re always looking for expressions of interest to join the board. 

 

An investment in knowledge pays the best interest

 

While Me2 Club has profound subject matter knowledge in particular areas, that doesn’t mean we’re experts in everything!  We’re always looking for friends who can volunteer their expertise in other specialist areas, whether that’s project management, marketing, social media, graphic design, impact reporting or data analysis. If you have skills you think could benefit Me2 Club we’re always eager to talk.

 

Everyone can make a difference

 

Corporate support of charities benefits everyone. Guardian Business reports that millennials and upwards want to work for an organisation that has values and a mission to help the world, doing social good and contributing back to the community. To them “who they work for represents who they are”.

 

There are so many ways you can partner with us to make a difference to the lives of children with additional needs and disabilities. To find out more about Me2Club’s aims and objectives we’d love you to visit our website, or you can follow our social channels for all our latest updates:

 

Visit our website: me2club.org.uk

Follow us on Twitter: @me2club

Like us on Facebook: @me2clubcharity

Follow us on Instagram: @me2club

Me2 Club is an inclusion charity which helps children and young people with additional needs get involved in mainstream activities. As a children’s charity, of course it goes without saying that we want to help improve the lives of the young people we work with!  The means by which we can achieve this qualitative improvement go beyond our primary role of helping them participate in mainstream leisure activities; one of the ways we make a difference is by ensuring our children and young people’s voices are heard.

To find out more about our first “takeover day” please click here…

Me2 Club is an inclusion charity which helps children and young people with additional needs get involved in mainstream activities. While the importance of inclusivity is becoming more a part of public consciousness, it’s still a concept that deserves further focus and attention, so that’s what we’re going to shine a spotlight on today.

What does inclusion really mean?

It’s a word you probably hear all the time, but what is inclusion? While the traditional definition describes inclusion as “the state of being included or being made a part of something”, genuine and effective inclusion is more complex and has more far-reaching benefits than this simple characterisation.

Full inclusion in society is one of the key principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which formulates ‘accessibility’ as the inclusive practice of proactively removing barriers to ensure equal access for those with disabilities.

So, inclusion doesn’t stop at simply ‘giving access’; in practice it’s also about enabling.  But even this doesn’t quite encapsulate true inclusion, which also takes into consideration individual situations and needs.

Equality, reasonable adaptation and inclusion: why understanding the difference is important

When thinking about inclusion, we need to consider three concepts:

• Equality describes a situation where each individual or group of people is given the same resources or opportunities.
• Reasonable adaptation recognises that each person has different circumstances and therefore allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome.  
• Inclusion goes a step further, seeking to address the systemic barriers that prevent people accessing what they need in the first place.

Why does inclusion matter?

An included life means enjoying the same opportunities that others enjoy, living the life you want to and not being defined by your needs. At a societal level, inclusivity helps individuals from all demographics and backgrounds to feel safe, respected and valued for who they are. These are just some of the many reasons it’s important to support children to live an included life:

• Developing friendships
• Being exposed to opportunities for interactions
• Increased wellbeing, confidence and self-esteem
• Feeling safe and welcome
• Developing a sense of belonging
• Receiving better opportunity to reach full potential
• Acquiring life skills
• Increased parent participation
• Families being more integrated into the community

How does Me2 Club view the concept of inclusion?

Me2 Club takes a rights-based approach to disability inclusion, addressing the physical, communication, legal and attitudinal barriers that people with disabilities face.

For us, inclusion means providing support, differentiating activities and really getting to know a child, learning what they need to help them thrive. It means talking to parents, hearing their voices and ensuring they get a break during activities. It means training staff and choosing volunteers that reflect a shared mindset.

What does inclusion look like at Me2 Club?

Me2 Club volunteers support children and teenagers with additional needs to enjoy leisure activities and clubs. Their role is to ensure they are truly included in the activities, which can take many forms depending on the child’s needs. Their role can include breaking down the group leader’s instructions into bite size chunks, showing children what they need to do, providing encouragement, keeping them focussed or supervising them while they take a sensory break if the activity is very noisy.

We make sure the venue is accessible, that the room is comfortable and that the young people have regular breaks. We also look to provide easy read information, low lighting and low noise levels, which helps with sensory processing differences.

Me2 Club run a youth forum for Wokingham young people with additional needs. We take care to find quiet venues that are accessible to wheelchair users, have somewhere safe and relaxed to go for a sensory break and where we can dim the lights if needed. Me2 Club also ensure that we have lots of adults to assist the young people in taking part if they need to.

Me2 Club offer support to activity providers to make reasonable adaptations to enable as many children as possible to take part in line with The Equality Act 2010.

We invite our SEND young people to help us with recruiting new staff, giving time before recruitment to explain what is expected of them and the basics they need to know. This opportunity also helps work towards reducing anxiety about being in a formal environment and talking to new people.

Inclusion is a human right

Inclusion is an ever-evolving mission and as such requires an ever-evolving strategy. 

If you’d like to find out more about inclusion, Me2 Club’s inclusive focus, and learn how you could help us make a difference, we’d love you to visit the Me2Club website and follow our social channels for all our latest updates:

Visit our website: me2club.org.uk

Follow us on Twitter: @me2club

Like us on Facebook: @me2clubcharity

Follow us on Instagram: @me2club