Volunteers with learning disabilities honoured

Volunteers with learning disabilities are being honoured for their hard work and dedication.

People on Voluntary Action LeicesterShire's Values volunteering programme, which provides support to people with learning disabilities, will attend a certificate ceremony to recognise their volunteering achievements.

The ceremony, held at the Central Library, is the culmination of a programme of events and activities designed to improve volunteers' confidence, help them learn new skills and meet new people through volunteering. Chief Inspector Richard Keenan of Leicestershire Police Authority will also be praising their commitment.

Aaron Keene, who manages the Values programme said, "The ceremony gives us a chance to celebrate the contribution that people with learning disabilities make in our city through their volunteering.

"They've all worked really hard and many of them have also gained personally from their valuable experiences as a volunteer."

Cezett McIntosh, mother to Chanee McIntosh, who volunteered this year, said, "Since Chanee has been volunteering at VALUES she has become more positive and her confidence has grown immensely. She has learnt new skills and from this she now has her first paid job."