The Gap We Address
Mainstream youth volunteering isn't designed for neurodivergent young people. Volunteers who support them often lack training, frameworks, and environments suited to their needs.
When systems fail, young people lose access to vital support. Dedicated volunteers burn out. The sector accepts this as inevitable.
We believe this isn't inevitable — it's fixable.
IYVS grew from lived experience of these failures. Our founder worked with neurodivergent young people in traditional volunteering settings and saw firsthand how the system fell short. We didn't start with theories. We started with problems that needed solving.
How We Work: Four Pillars
We operate across four complementary areas, each addressing different aspects of the SEN support gap in youth volunteering.
1. Direct Provision
We run specialist programmes like Zanshin Archery — proving that alternative approaches work where mainstream provision falls short. These are proof-of-concept: evidence that neurodivergent young people thrive when their needs are designed into the experience from the start.
2. Capability Building
We train volunteers and organisations to better support neurodivergent young people — through grants for professional development, frameworks for inclusive practice, and mentorship. This means existing volunteer-led organisations can build the capacity they need.
3. Navigation Support
We help volunteers and organisations access funding, find resources, and understand best practice. This includes grants, practical guidance, and signposting — reducing the friction for those trying to do better.
4. Sector Accountability
We name systemic failures, hold the sector to account, and advocate for policies and practices that ensure no neurodivergent young person is excluded. This is unafraid, evidence-based advocacy — not adversarial, but uncompromising on standards.
Our Approach
We are independent by design, collaborative by choice. This means:
- We hold the sector to account without being adversarial
- We speak from lived experience, not theory
- We are warm but unafraid — advocating clearly for what needs to change
- We build partnerships with organisations, volunteers, and advocates who share our commitment
This is long-term work. We're not here to fix one complaint or win one campaign. We're building the systems and culture that should exist.