The Wolverhampton community group getting people on right track
The dedicated team behind a Wolverhampton support group for those with learning difficulties and disabilities is welcoming new volunteers to carry on their legacy.
Right Track, a Community Interest Company based off Goldthorn Hill, has been running in the city for more than four years and provides a lifeline for vulnerable members of the community.
The volunteer-run service offers training, practical work experience, arts, outdoor activities and social activities for people who may struggle progressing in traditional routes of employment and education.
"We have people here with mental health issues and learning difficulties who will never achieve academically and from that they develop low self-esteem," says Martyn Jones, one of the volunteers at the service from Fordhouses.
"On different days we support different people, we have some come here everyday of the week.
"When the day centres shut down, these people had no where else to go so they came here. There are probably around 20 people we regularly support and when you come in and meet them it touches your heart.
"Some of the people we work with have been with us for a number of years.
"We enhance the wellbeing and self-esteem of the people we work with and their immediate family, some of them have even come to us and asked us to put even more activities on because they're so pleased with what we do."
Right Track has collaborated with the nearby allotment holders for a number of years now and has developed a lasting relationship which benefits both sides, with members of the service contributing to the upkeep of the allotments while learning practical skills and taking part in physical activity.
Martyn adds: "We wouldn't be able to exist without the allotments, they have helped and supported us so much."
As well as the Goldthorn Hill allotments, they also do freelance work tidying up gardens and schools - a new project sees them working in conjunction with Mi Friendly Cities to help decorate and furnish apartments for the homeless and migrants living in Wolverhampton and the Black Country.
"It was awful," Martyn says "Especially because the people we work with are quite vulnerable anyway, a lot of them felt personally upset, it was a violation for them to come in and see their things, their clothes all over the floor."
"Since the story made the news, we have been overwhelmed by the generosity and support of the local community."
Paul Birch, Councillor for Blakenhall Ward, has even given a months pay towards the group to help them get back on track.
"This is a small contribution to a community group who were founded to help all the people of the city. I call upon other business owners to contribute towards getting the group back on its feet," Paul comments.
As they recover from the break-in, Martyn and his small team of volunteers are encouraging more people to come forward to help them keep the service afloat.
Martyn says: "It's about sustainability and keeping it going.
"We are completely not-for-profit, everything we fund we do it ourselves.
"Luckily we are all retired, we wouldn't be able to do this otherwise. We're committed to keeping it going, we've had a rocky road along the way.
"I hope that anyone who is interested in what we do or that believes that they can support us in anyway will come and volunteer with us."
To get in touch with the team email righttrackwolves@gmail.com
