Welcome to the second day of our interviews in celebration of Small Charities Week. Yesterday we spoke to the Project Manager of LADPP, Jhon Marulanda, and today we are speaking to the treasurer of the Management Committee, Belky Verduga. Keep looking out for more interviews later in the week!

Belky Verduga, originally from Ecuador, came to the UK 15 years ago to support her daughter. She first came to LADPP around seven years ago and began volunteering as a receptionist. For five years now she has been an active member of LADPP's governing body and is currently the treasurer.

Why did you get involved in LADPP?

I found out about this organisation through a newspaper and I came because I have daughter who is epileptic. At that time, this organisation only helped disabled people. LADPP has helped both my daughter and myself, as after some time, I came to be disabled too; I had an accident. For me, this is my second home because of all the people who work here. I feel that I am still useful and can help my fellow human beings, and it brings me joy to be here sharing my time with people that are disabled and also people who are not disabled: we offer help to all members of the public.

Why do you think that small charities like this one are important?

I believe these organisations are so important for all people from all over the world. Above all, in our case, for Spanish and Portuguese speaking people because we give people the attention they need and are able to help them in one way or another. We have had success helping many people, and we continue helping all Spanish and Portuguese speaking people. We are always ready to help them, and it is satisfying to be able to help my people in some way.


What has been your best moment at the LADPP?

For me, the best moment is everyday when I come in to LADPP to help my fellow citizens, it’s very nice. Working with disabled people, like myself at the moment, who need a smile and support, that is as much physical as spiritual, well, it lifts me each time that someone comes to tell me what’s going on in their life. I too went through some difficult times and when I’m helping people in the same situation I feel like my heart is bursting with happiness because I can offer a little grain of sand of support to those around me.

Translated from Spanish to English by Rosie Morgan, Volunteer Community Project Assistant.

Jhon Marulanda has been the Project Manager of LADPP since January 2008. With a background in education and community work in his native Colombia, Jhon first came to the organisation as a volunteer in 2002. He then became an advice worker in 2003 and Senior Advice Worker in 2005 before taking over as manager. 



What does your role at LADPP involve?

Well, my main role is to make sure that the project is in place and also to administrate and manage the projects and service delivery of the organisation, as well as networking with other communities and representing the organisation within the voluntary community around London. 

Why do you think that small charities are important?

I think small charities are very important because we are tackling the needs of our users. The majority of small charities are charities who are delivering one-to-one grass root work and that is something that you cannot find in government organisations or big charities. I think that because we have direct contact with the users and the community the work is more sustainable and I see how people are improving their quality of life and meeting their needs at a community level and I think that is the important thing about small charities in the sector.

What has been your best moment at LADPP?

I have so many best moments at the organisation but I do remember one when I was taking part in a steering group that was producing a guide to refugee and asylum seekers’ access to welfare and disability benefits. As part of the steering group and to publicise the book they asked me to give a speech at the House of Commons as a representative for the Latin American community. Being able to raise the voice of the Latin American community, not just for disabled people but the entire community, was a very proud moment. I feel very touched by the work that we’ve been doing but of course none of this would be possible without the support of the volunteers, other staff and the community, which has always been very pro-active in the project. Working with all these partnerships and all these people involved has made the work more enjoyable and more successful and I’m very proud of that.

To celebrate Small Charities Week (16th-20th June), we will be posting a new interview everyday with individuals at the heart of LADPP's work. Small regional charities around the country carry out extremely important work at a community level but, in many cases, people are not aware of their impact. To highlight some of the reasons why these types of organisations are so important, we have collected a series of interviews with people involved in our project, starting with the Project Manager, Jhon Marulanda. 

We really hope you enjoy reading them! LADPP stays alive and strong thanks to the colaboration of all the people who support the project: including individuals renewing their annual membership, or providing monthly donations, as well as the fantastic volunteers and advisors who participate in all aspects of the organization. It's especially important that we continue to receive financial support from our members and individuals like yourself - its so vital to the level of projects we can work provide throughout the year. Our first week of blogs will look to provide insight from all aspects of our organisation, and a full picture of the work we do everyday. Comment, share, like - let us know what you think!