Leicestershire Freemasons recently visited the team at Voluntary Action South Leicestershire (VASL) in Market Harborough to present a generous grant of £60,000. This funding will support 48 carers and individuals living with dementia through VASL’s Carers Dementia Guardians (CGD) project.
The CGD project provides weekly support sessions along with advice, advocacy, and key work support. Volunteers assist with a range of activities, including offering emotional well-being support, connecting individuals to services and social activities, and performing practical tasks such as hanging laundry, organizing online shopping, consulting on home energy efficiency, and creating dementia-friendly spaces. The program is coordinated by a dedicated Project Coordinator who manages referrals, assessments, volunteer matching, and group supervision, ensuring volunteers receive peer and staff support.
VASL’s mission is to enrich the lives of vulnerable individuals, primarily in the Harborough district. With a small team and the help of approximately 180 local volunteers, VASL supports around 4,800 people annually, demonstrating its extensive impact within the community.
The organization provides a wide array of services, including befriending and learning opportunities for isolated older adults, transport services for older, disabled, or rurally isolated individuals, mental well-being support for those with mild to moderate mental health conditions, and Leicestershire-wide assistance for carers.
Last year alone, VASL engaged with 3,061 individuals, delivering 6,272 hours of advice, information, and support—making a profound difference in the lives of many.