Within BuDS, volunteers – most of them disabled people – work together on important real-world projects which will improve the lives of all disabled people.  Not all our volunteers are looking for work, but many are. For jobseekers, we have a Reach4Work project specially to support them.  

In Reach4Work, we create a volunteer role within BuDS which suits you and which helps you to reach your work goals, whether that is getting working experience, learning new skills, moving a step closer to work, or helping you move from BuDS into a new job. 

Eligibility

Check project eligibility in case of additional requirements.

Who Can Join Reach4Work?

Reach4Work is for people who are looking for office-based work using knowledge, skills and IT.

To take part in Reach4Work, we ask that you are someone who:

• Wants to get into work or move closer to getting a job.
• Has basic IT skills and can use Windows and Microsoft Office apps like Word and Outlook.
• Has a long-term condition or disability, as defined under the Equalities Act 2010 this includes all physical and mental health conditions and neurodivergent traits such as autism, ADHD or dyslexia.
• Is aged over 16 years of age - there is no upper age limit.
• Has a legal right to work in the UK.
• Understanding and appreciation of the Social Model of Disability

No. We are registered with the DWP meaning there will be no impact on benefits.

Buckinghamshire Disability Service (BuDS) is a registered charity and user-led pan-disability charity operating primarily in Buckinghamshire.

Registered charity number: 1102511

We are all currently working from home using Microsoft Teams and Microsoft 365. Teams allows us to chat, meet, call, learn and collaborate without leaving the house. Training in Teams and remote working will be given if you need it, and this is a valuable working skill to have in itself.

Reach4Work offers training and work experience on actual real-world projects within the BuDS organisation.

Volunteers often progress into exciting occupations including Information Technology, Business Management and Administration, Finance, Education and Training, Local Government and Public Administration and Service Sector careers. 

Get in touch, let us know why you would like to volunteer and confirm if you meet the eligibility or not.

We will invite you to a telephone or video chat with us to talk about the role and how you can help. These chats are taking place throughout the week.

We will discuss the roles available, identify if a DBS check is necessary and ask you to complete some paperwork (virtually).

You also get free access to MS Teams, which we use to message and video-chat with each other. We work together in teams and you’d be added to a team to work with other people. Everyone has a line manager to guide the work and offer support, and we can offer training in all the software.

Sometimes our Reach4Work project will not be right for people who do not want office based work.

In this case BuDS may be able to offer you advise on other service providers in Buckinghamshire who may be more suited to your work experience needs. BuDS BucksWorkability website offers a service provider finder which may help you further.