Making volunteering more inclusive and accessible As part of our vision to change lives and communities through volunteering, Volunteer Centre Greenwich (VCG) is proud to release a new report showcasing the impact of our two-year initiative to make volunteering more inclusive and accessible for people with lived experience of poor mental health. This report is the culmination of extensive work undertaken with individuals who have first-hand experience of mental health challenges. Together, we explored what inclusion looks like in practice and how to reduce barriers to volunteering. The result? A series of small but meaningful changes that led to a 70% increase in volunteers starting with us. These aren't sweeping reforms—they are thoughtful, targeted tweaks that came directly from listening to our community. Coffee mornings to build trust, a short volunteer video to build connection, and a redesigned volunteers webpage with information people want to know before applying —all simple steps, but together they made a big difference. This step by step guide offers clear evidence and practical guidance as a starting point for grassroots groups and charities thinking about how to increase volunteer participation, especially from under-represented groups. It highlights the importance of user-led design and ongoing dialogue with those who often face the highest barriers. How we widened access to volunteering Contact [email protected] for further information.