I had very little experience working with young people when I started to volunteer with PLUS- but I was offered relevant training opportunities and chances to develop my skills. Staff members are all very friendly and dedicated to helping the children and young people we support to enjoy themselves and meet their outcomes through play activities.

Throughout my time at PLUS, I have developed new skills, increased confidence levels and expanded my experience working both independently and within a close team. To anybody thinking about volunteering with PLUS…DO IT!! The children and young people who we support are energetic, fun and grateful for all of our help!

Not only will you develop existing and new skills which are vital for future employment- you will be part of a great team who are passionate about providing high quality services to the children we support, and their families! I guarantee you will feel a high level of job satisfaction knowing that you have made a positive impact on your service user’s life!

I have been part of PLUS for many years as a young person who used the service but it is only within the last two years that I have started volunteering here. I originally volunteered at PLUS as part of my Duke of Edinburgh award. As part of volunteering, I ran the Dungeons and Dragons night as the Dungeon Master. Overall it was and still is, a very enjoyable experience that helped me with my patience as well as my leadership skills. Interacting with the other staff and volunteers was great as it was clear they were very friendly and supportive towards the young people and the other volunteers/staff. It is because of this and the laughs we have there that I look forward to the next DnD night every week.

Later as part of the work experience week at my school, I completed it here at PLUS - albeit virtually because of COVID-19. My primary task during the work experience week was to update and work on the PLUS website. This allowed me to see what working in a job was like in addition to developing my ICT and communication skills. The experience was enlightening and engaging for me as I learned about web design/editing and more about how PLUS operates as an organisation. So far with my time volunteering/completing work experience with PLUS, I have enjoyed it and would recommend anyone who gets the chance to do either of these things here to take the opportunity, there are skills here that are applicable to life and other jobs out there.

As L has grown up, the gap in language (particularly difficult) and general development grows - which is inevitable due to her disability but this leads to exclusion in many aspects of school.  L is a sociable and pleasant person, but the gap in this development and her lack of insight into safety, crossing a road etc means that she cannot go to a friends house unless 1. She is invited 2. She is taken. Even though this is an open and welcoming home, L is not asked to a friends house after school and a child only comes round when specifically asked. L is 10 years old and in the past year I have recognised a diminishing social circle. L is an only child.

I supported L in Rainbows for 2 years, Brownies after that (explaining instructions, differentiating activities etc) until L got support from PLUS volunteers. As a parent I obviously want to support our daughter as much as possible but L does not want her Mother with her at every event!

PLUS is not just about socialisation and play. It is a chance for L and other children to be away from their "ever present" parent, build independence, interact with peers of similar abilities (So the child may have a chance not to be last, slow, unable) to finish an activity.

This is my 13 year old daughter Tia at the PLUS Christmas Fayre. Tia had her own stall, selling her own handmade Christmas decorations, her own handmade cakes and cookies and selling tickets to raffle off her own handmade gingerbread house. This was something Tia would not have been able to do 6 months ago. Tia was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome 18 months ago. Along with this Tia also suffers from anxiety, communication problems and self esteem issues. 6 months ago Tia was not attending school, had anxiety related medical problems and had a hard time believing in herself. Then there came PLUS. Tia attends the Aspergers group every second Monday. It's a chance for her to meet up with people her own age dealing with similar struggles that she can be herself around. The staff members are understanding and caring and listen to Tia about her special interests and her likes and many dislikes. It's an informal environment that has set expectations of the children and a structure for them to feel safe. Tia is praised for her creativity and encouraged by all the staff to do what she loves as well as have a go at new and exciting (but sometimes scary )things. Because Tia feels comfortable in this surrounding and has learned to believe in her art work and was able to be herself, be proud of her work and ask people to buy her gifts and cakes. I'm proud of her, she's proud of herself and I know PLUS was proud of her too! It's not just a group for our family, it's a community.