Voluntary Action LeicesterShire (VAL) is a charity that helps people in local communities to change their lives for the better, through direct service delivery and by supporting the local voluntary and community sector.
VAL has been an active part of the local Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Sector for over half a century.
Originally formed as the Leicester Council for Social Services in 1965, their work has constantly evolved with the times, but always kept local people at its heart.
VAL provides advice, support and training to charities and community groups across Leicester and Leicestershire; and is the nationally accredited Volunteer Centre for city and county, helping people to make a difference in their communities. During COVID VAL recruited 5,000 volunteers to support the 42 vaccination sites across the city, the county and Rutland.
With around 2,400 registered charities and an estimated 3,800 grassroots community organisations across the city and county, they help charities to reach their potential and continue delivering vital services within local communities.
Since 2016 VAL has delivered two employability projects, funded by the European Social Fund and the National Lottery Community Fund. These partnership projects – the YES (Youth Employability Support) Project and the GREAT (Getting Ready for Work and Training) Project – aim to help those furthest from the labour market to overcome physical and social barriers and find work, training and education.
For over 20 years the VALUES project has also provided people with learning disabilities in Leicester and Leicestershire the opportunity to learn new skills, make friends and have fun.
VALUES clients can pay with their Personal Budgets and are able to choose from a huge range of activities. The service currently employs dozens of support workers to support over 130 clients with hundreds of activities every week.
In 2022 the Randal Charitable Foundation provided grant funding to VAL for two Celebration Events for Children in Care from Leicestershire, which enabled about 700 looked-after children and care leavers to have their achievements celebrated.
The young people were nominated for an award by a range of professionals to recognise the positive progression they have made in their lives, which are designed to raise their self-esteem and recognise how their efforts are valued.
Following the Celebration Events, frontline workers continued to work with the attendees to support them to take the positives from the events into their future everyday lives.
