Leeds lads launch volunteering app
A group of lads from Leeds have created the new app, Valla, to address the need for a modern approach to community volunteering.
Valla was founded by the volunteers, frustrated with the overcomplicated nature of finding opportunities close to them.
The mantra ‘Helping People Help’ sits at the heart of Valla and the aim is to create a network of Vallanteers across the world who can all transform their local community.
The app’s brainchild James Hall, said: “Every time we looked for a volunteering opportunity, we found ourselves asking questions such as ‘Where should I look for opportunities?’ ‘How can I apply?’ ‘Why do you need to know all this information about me?’ and ‘What about if I want to do it with my friends?’
“Valla answers all of these questions and removes unnecessary complexity by providing a platform to connect volunteers to those in need of their help, whether they are individuals, charities, events or organisations.”
Valla works like a dating app, ensuring people find the perfect match through a GPS function. It is free to use, anyone can sign-up to create an opportunity, share it and become a Vallanteer.
The team behind the app come from different professional backgrounds. James Hall is a management consultant for a global professional services organisation. Whilst in this role, he began drafting the blueprint for Valla.
The other members of the team include Matthew Hall, who founded the technology business Sycous, Joe Collier, who is a PHD student at Leeds University and Ged Savva, who is co-founder of marketing agency Magpie.
Valla will also generate value for medium to large organisations making use of the platform for company CSR activities. Businesses will be able to see what sectors their staff are helping out in, the time they’re spending doing it, the skills they are building and the effectiveness they are having from the point of view of those helped.
The Valla app is now available for download on the App Store and Google Play.
