Over the past three years, DS Achieve has been proud to work in partnership with Hertfordshire Libraries to develop and deliver the My Voice youth volunteering programme. What began as a two-year funded programme has grown into a resounding success - so much so that My Voice is now a fully embedded part of the Hertfordshire Libraries service.
This means that, going forward, Hertfordshire Libraries will take the lead in managing the programme. We will be directing any future volunteering enquiries from young people and families straight to their team, who are brilliantly placed to carry it forward.
The programme has given young people with Down Syndrome (aged 14-24) the opportunity to become part of the Hertfordshire Libraries youth volunteer network, gaining supported placements in libraries across the county. In that time, seven young people with Down Syndrome have completed successful placements, growing in confidence, learning new skills, and becoming valued members of their local library teams. The impact has been felt not only by the volunteers themselves, but also by library staff and the wider communities they have joined.
As part of our role, DS Achieve has delivered specialist training through our Down Syndrome advisors to library staff across Hertfordshire. This training has helped ensure staff feel confident and well-equipped to support young people with Down Syndrome as volunteers - and it has been wonderful to see this knowledge and confidence embedded across the service.
We are incredibly proud of what My Voice has achieved, and delighted that its future is secure within Hertfordshire Libraries. We are grateful to Hertfordshire Libraries for such a positive and collaborative partnership, and we look forward to seeing the programme continue to thrive for years to come.
For enquiries about volunteering opportunities, please contact Hertfordshire Libraries directly: MyVoice@hertfordshire.gov.uk
