The Community Award
“This project makes a meaningful difference to young people with disabilities but also provides a fantastic volunteering experience for the students involved.”
Why was there a need or desire to do this project?
Within Bristol, and more generally Avon, there are limited resources for children with disabilities. This is especially true for families who cannot afford to pay for holiday club or travel to further away groups.
Pitstop recognised that need in 2006 when the club began, and it continues to be a problem to this day. There was demand for fun and engaging activities that took up longer stretches of time, as this allowed Pitstop trips to act as a form of respite for parents and carers.
For the children that come along, Pitstop represents one of the few groups they can partake in that is completely free, and run by young adults. This enables Pitstop to reduce social isolation, encourage physical activity and bonding with peers.
As Pitstop volunteers are all university students, there is a smaller age gap between the disabled participants and our volunteers which is uncommon in many volunteering projects. This allows Pitstop to really feel like a family where everyone can bond as friends!
What difference has the volunteering project made to the community?
Within the university community, it provides a positive way to engage with the local community, helping to improve the negative reputation of students across the city. Pitstop highlights to local parents, carers, and other charities that there are many students working hard to improve the lives of others.
The project offers free respite. For some users it’s the only support they can access. This provides parents some space, and has resulted in parents making social groups beyond Pitstop. The children who attend Pitstop get to take part in activities that may otherwise be 'inaccessible' for disabled children, such as their 2019 summer trip to Chessington World of Adventures.
How do they make it happen?
Pitstop run six events per academic year for 20 children with disabilities, and have 20 active student volunteers.
The committee submit grant applications, partner with sponsors, and host activities such as pub quizzes and raffles to fundraise money. The committee have total responsibility for safeguarding, first aid, ensuring volunteer wellbeing, and to create an environment which retains our members. Over the last year Pitstop have worked incredibly hard to grow as a volunteer project.
How do they make it sustainable?
The committee prioritise a ‘methodical’ handover to the new committee which allows for the continuation of their services. They have partnered with local organisations including WECIL and Bristol City Council, which enables them to accommodate children with more complex needs via training and equipment, and therefore expanding their services. This training was offered to volunteers to ensure that skills remain within the club.
They have secured sponsorship from several larger organisations including Camp America and Unlocked Graduates which has increased publicity and funding. These will become annual sponsorships, meaning that Pitstop is a more financially sustainable charity.