City MP Stephen Morgan has hosted a meeting for a group of young volunteers with a disability at his office in Albert Road.
The Can Do project, run by Charity Leonard Cheshire Disability, offers opportunities for 16- to 35‑year-old people with a disability to volunteer in their community. Through volunteering they are able to learn and develop new skills, build self-confidence and independence, meet new people and make new friends, raise awareness on issues that are important to them and be more socially active in their communities. With the aim of increasing their employment opportunities.
Mr Morgan hosted the event, where he spoke to the group of volunteers about the work of an MP and held a Q and A session, then each member of the steering group gave an update on what volunteering opportunities they have been involved in and what they are hoping to do next.
Stephen Morgan MP said:
“It was an absolute pleasure to host the Can Do project steering group at my office, it was so inspiring to hear what the volunteers have been busy doing across the city.
“Employment rates in people with disabilities are considerably lower than in those without disabilities, often because they simply aren’t able to get the work experience.
“This project is vital to giving those who need it the opportunity to gain that experience.”
The steering groups allow volunteers to shape the project themselves, choose what kind of placements they do and take ownership of what they take away from each placement.
