Building confidence, creating pathways, and strengthening community networks
Beanstalk Skills Academy CIC is proud to share the successful launch of its new structured volunteering programme, made possible through funding from the Preston Volunteer Fund.
This support allowed us to create more than just volunteer roles. We built a programme that helps people rebuild confidence, gain practical skills, and feel connected to their community. It is now a core part of our long-term service offer.
Designed for Impact
The programme was developed around five clear and purposeful roles:
- Cookery Workshop Support
- Business Administration
- Digital Marketing
- Community Outreach
- Peer Mentoring
Each role comes with a structured induction, training, and ongoing support, making the experience accessible and consistent for volunteers.
We also appointed a Community Engagement Officer currently part-funded by Beanstalk and UnLtd. The role supports volunteer coordination and has been key to embedding the programme across our wider delivery. We aim to make this post self-sustaining within 12 months.
What the Funding Helped Us Achieve
- Six volunteers have been inducted and trained
- All completed awareness training in safeguarding, GDPR, food hygiene, health and safety, and PREVENT
- All achieved Level 1 Food Hygiene Certificates
- One volunteer progressed into a mentoring role after completing full certificated training
- Three individuals completed a bespoke work experience pathway tailored to their personal needs and goals
We are also proud to have achieved the Valuing Volunteers Quality Mark, recognising the structure, safety, and inclusivity of our approach.
A Community Programme with Real Impact
This project is not just about systems and outcomes. It is about people. One of our first volunteers, Lee, shared:
“Having been unable to work due to health problems, volunteering has given me an opportunity to give something back.”
Lee helped shape the programme in its early stages, completed his training, and now plays a key role in supporting new volunteers.
Read Lee’s story:
Case Study: Lee’s Journey into Volunteering – Beanstalk Business Centre
Looking Ahead
The programme will officially launch at our MET community event on 8 July 2025. Our trained volunteer team will be supporting delivery on the day and showcasing the difference this work is already making.
We are now exploring how to build on this strong foundation, reach more people, and support more community-led delivery across Preston. The success of this pilot is already informing future funding bids and partnership discussions.
f you are a funder, local organisation, or community leader interested in learning more, we would love to hear from you. Get in touch to explore how we can work together to create opportunities that last.