Over the next few months the CDG will be publishing a series of articles by MPs who have joined the CDG's advisory council, as well as by other interested parties. In this, the first article, Damian Hinds MP talks about the Kingsley Organisation’s centre in Bordon...

I was very pleased to be asked to join the advisory panel for the Conservative Disability Group. It strikes me that the fundamental challenges facing so many living with a disability are a struggle for fairness and independence, perhaps the most basic of Conservative principles.

Another central aim to which we are all committed is the building of a bigger and better society. Helping everyone, regardless of disability, to take their place in that society and championing volunteering and inclusion at a local level makes for the strong communities we all want to live in.

In my area of East Hampshire there is one organisation which is achieving both these aims with great success.

The Kingsley Organisation’s centre in Bordon supports disabled people in whatever their ambitions by involving the local community and, in their own words, “recognising the power of opportunity and choice”. They work with each person as an individual with a unique contribution to make and encourage everyone to find the best way to achieve their own goals.

One way they do this, which has particularly impressed me, is their supported volunteering project. Through it people living with considerable disabilities and requiring individual levels of support are given the chance to access volunteering opportunities, learn new skills and increase their confidence.

The project is supported by Chainreaction Personal Development Group staff who are professionally trained and together they are able to provide a challenging and friendly work environment which understands the needs of disabled people, allowing them to grow in confidence and gain valuable work experience.

The Centre offers volunteering in their village shop, Post Office, Cafe, reception desk, community centre and administration office. Through these very real and practical situations, the skills people learn are rooted a real experience of a working environment. For many taking their first steps into the wider community, interpersonal skills are a critically important part of the learning process and this is specifically addressed. 

With the benefit of experience at the Kingsley Centre, volunteers most often proceed to further training or employment far beyond their own, or the professionals', original expectations. It has been a inspiration to me to see the determination of people, facing big obstacles, challenging themselves to see how far they can go.

It is a lesson, not only about the real contribution everyone can make to our society, but about the need for each of us to constantly challenge ourselves to see how far we can go.