Project summary

Inspired Action was a UK-wide project created by the British Red Cross, and delivered with Whizz-Kidz, to make volunteering more inclusive and accessible for young people. Initially funded by the National Lottery Community Fund under the Keeping the Spirit Alive programme, with funding of £778,473, the initiative focused on breaking down the barriers that might prevent young disabled and non-disabled people from volunteering. By offering fun, educational workshops and practical experiences, the project helped young people see the value of giving back to their communities and gain vital skills.

The British Red Cross, and Whizz-Kidz, were very focussed on addressing the mental and physical barriers young disabled people can often face when accessing volunteer opportunities, and this was the first project to request a discreet pot of funding for supporting flexible access requirements – practice that Spirit subsequently adopted.

Workshops were held in schools and youth clubs to introduce young people to volunteering and challenge potentially negative perceptions about it. The young people were offered induction sessions, which included first aid training, disability awareness workshops, and information about volunteering roles within the British Red Cross. Inspired Action was designed to encourage young people, particularly those who might never have considered volunteering before, to discover meaningful opportunities that suited their passions and abilities.

The British Red Cross produced a toolkit on how to recruit, support, and retain young volunteers, particularly from underrepresented backgrounds. Inspired Action empowered large numbers of young volunteers to make a difference, learn new skills, and gain confidence, while demonstrating that with the right support in place, volunteering can be for everyone.