I have been a member of Family Action’s Welfare and Educational Grants Panel for six years. The work is rewarding because we know that after our weekly meetings, we have helped to make a difference to many families. We deal with up to 150 applications every week.
We receive welfare applications on behalf of vulnerable young people, the elderly, victims of domestic violence, refugees and asylum seekers and people with mental health illness.
As a panel, we work in small groups to check information such as the criteria under which the application is being made, benefits, income and expenditure, debts, and whether applications for a grant have been made to other organisations. Before making a decision to award an Family Action grant, we discuss the case and sometimes are able to make
suggestions about other possible statutory entitlements or voluntary funding.
As individual panel members we bring a variety of insights and opinions to each case – we are not just ‘rubber stamping’ applications. If a group cannot make a decision, the application is presented to the whole panel to discuss. Our grants panel functions very much as a team.
Working with Family Action has given us all an insight into the daily lives of thousands of families who – often through no fault of their own – find themselves in appalling housing, without cookers, floor coverings, and basic items such as beds and bedding.
With our varied backgrounds and skill sets Family Action’s Grants Panel has become a lively forum and a cohesive group of colleagues. We know that helping Family Action is a very worthwhile, challenging and interesting use of our time.
"On a personal level - having had experience of volunteering in organisations where I worked directly with clients - joining the Family Action Grants Panel is one of the best things I have done. It is very satisfying work.
When we read a thank you letter from somebody, who has been helped by Family Action and has taken the trouble to write, we are reminded that volunteering is really worth doing.
Grants Panel Member, February 2008.
Find out more about Family Action's Grants service.
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