About Trust Buddies
Trust Buddies is a brand new and unique partnership between Mencap Cymru and National Trust Wales.
This ground breaking project will support adults with a learning disability to access volunteering opportunities at National Trust sites in Chirk Castle, Powis Castle and Ogwen Valley.
What impact will this have?
Inclusive volunteering
The learning gained from the project will help other National Trust sites and organisations understand how to give their teams the confidence and knowledge to deliver inclusive volunteering opportunities in the widest possible range of settings.
This will ultimately secure many more meaningful volunteering openings for people with a learning disability in their community.
Reducing social isolation
Trust Buddies will help increase the visibility of people with a learning disability - which in turn will help reduce stigma and discrimination amongst the public.
It will also improve the well-being of volunteers with a learning disability, by reducing social isolation, improving confidence and providing access to the community.
Hear from a volunteer
Hayden is a National Trust volunteer at Newton House Dinefwr.
Hayden has discussed how much he loves Dinefwr and "feels valued and listened to when he has new ideas".
He often mentions the help and support of his colleagues Jenna, Jo, Kim and many others. He says that his colleagues give him "pointers" and "boost his confidence".
Donate to Trust Buddies
Supporting 10 adults with a learning disability into National Trust volunteer opportunities will cost around £40,000 a year. This budget will cover a 12 month pilot project, creating a platform for other National Trust places and organisations to have a better understanding of working with people with a learning disability.
The pilot project will allow organisations to learn and understand what is needed for future development, to be able to implement this at their organisation.
This cost covers logistics, support and training for NTC staff and one to one support for each volunteer with a learning disability.
You can help us to reach our target by making a donation online to our JustGiving page.
See how much we've raised so far
Find out more
Get in touch with our Community Fundraising Team to find out more about this project and how you can get involved.
You can reach our Community Fundraising Team by emailing community.fundraising@mencap.org.uk.