The Lighthouse Project

 Blackheath     England

http://www.thelighthouseproject.co.uk     << visit website

Categories:  Children, Community Service, (view all).

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The Lighthouse Project Charity Profile

In 1997, Catherine Marshall, then a single mother, found herself in crisis with no one to turn to, and struggling to make headway in her life. Looking for help made her realise that there was actually nowhere for her to go for support with the issues she faced.

So she decided to act. Working as a lone volunteer, she started ‘The Lighthouse Project’ as a safe and welcoming place where people could meet and find the support they needed.

It immediately became clear that the Project was exactly what local people wanted. and it started growing from day one. Affordable childcare was a priority. A year later, the Project began to offer free vocational and non-vocational training, which has continued to grow in quality and quantity.

Soon a second centre opened, as more people discovered the welcome and support offered to them, enabling them to achieve new things in their lives and face the future with more confidence. More opportunities and services were added as a team of staff and volunteers began to grow around the Project.

Since then, The Lighthouse Project has brought positive life change to thousands of people. We now work in partnership with many organisations including Sandwell and Dudley Metropolitan Borough Councils, The National Mentoring and Befriending Foundation, City & Guilds and UK Online to name but a few.

We currently operate 5 centres in the Black Country, which are usually open Monday to Friday 9am – 4.30pm.

The Lighthouse Project Volunteer Information

We have several opportunities for new volunteers. If you are looking for the chance to meet new people, want to help your local community or would like to learn new skills in a friendly and supportive environment, look no further!

We have linked up to offer training, mentoring and recruiting services for Agewell. Our Mentoring Co-ordinator, Adrian Darby, says: “Our one-to-one service is going really well, with lives being changed. But we need more mentors! Each mentor that we have has the possibility of changing the lives of four people per year by giving just one hour per week. Some have four people at any one time (sixteen lives per year). Our mentors keep getting employment so we are always in need of more!” Full training is given, leading to a level 1 OCN qualification.

We are looking for volunteers to help in our two creches in Halesowen, which cater for children aged 1 - 5. Again, training is given, so you do not need previous experience or qualifications. The new term starts on 1 September, so if you are interested, we would like to hear from you as soon as possible.

There are other areas to get involved in as well, so if you have other interests and would like to volunteer, please contact your nearest Lighthouse Centre.
Volunteering

Because volunteers are so important to our work, we aim to provide a supportive environment which values and caters for volunteers in the same way as employed staff.

We believe that volunteering should be a fulfilling experience, so Lighthouse volunteers benefit from in-house training, and regular personal reviews and development plans. We value our volunteers’ ideas, and all are encouraged to contribute through regular meetings.