Volunteering is a brilliant way to learn or build on existing skills whilst giving back to your local community. During the Covid-19 pandemic, a vast army of people stepped up to volunteer and support the work of the NHS – on the front line and behind the scenes. And let’s not forget our vaccination programme – it just wouldn’t have been so efficient or successful without the help of volunteers.
Charities across the UK are always in search of new volunteers – and Family Welfare is no different. Since moving into our new building in Leigh at the Wigan & Leigh College, we’re looking to our local community to get some new support services up and running.
Perhaps the best thing about volunteering is the flexibility. You can give as much or as little time as you can offer, working hours around family life or paid work. If you’re looking for a new challenge, perhaps to learn new skills during academic holidays or to keep busy and active in retirement, a volunteering role can meet your needs at any age.
“There’s a brilliant structure in place to support placements and volunteers. The mentoring, support and positivity I get from my placement manager and the rest of the team is first class. I have access to all the other counsellors and the quality of referrals is fantastic. I get such a buzz out of being here.
If you’re thinking of volunteering at Family Welfare, I would say jump in with both feet! Everybody here is equal. You’re not a volunteer, you’re part of the family.” Martin – Student Counsellor
Feeling inspired?
If you’ve been inspired to give back and support your local community, we have a number of volunteering vacancies at Family Welfare. We’re a warm and supportive team with a common goal to make a difference to the lives of local families.
As we begin operating from our new building this summer, we’re looking for:
Meet and Greet
As a meet and greeter, you’ll be the person that welcomes everyone into our building and café area, answering questions and directing them to where they need to be. You’ll be a good communicator with a friendly, approachable nature – and enjoy meeting and being around people.
Café staff
We’re looking for volunteers to cover café shifts throughout the day, from breakfast through to after school. Roles include counter service, clearing and cleaning tables and kitchen staff. Full training will be provided.
Administrators
You’ll be providing administrative support to the various functions within the Welfare team. You could be answering emails or the phone, supporting events or using your admin experience to help us with funding paperwork.
Advocates
As a volunteer advocate, you would be supporting our trained advocates in their day-to-day work. This involves working with people with mental health issues both on the mental health wards and the community.
Counsellors
You might be a trainee counsellor, below, or already qualified and looking for work experience. Training with us can develop your skills and practical experience as a counsellor.
Interested to know more about volunteering?
If you’d like to learn more about the volunteering opportunities available at Family Welfare, please call us on 01942 867888 or email admin@familywelfare.co.uk. You are welcome to arrange a visit for a chat and look around our incredible new building facilities and café space.
A Volunteer Counsellor’s story
“I couldn’t have picked a better place to volunteer.”
Erica is a Trainee Counsellor at Family Welfare. As part of her training she has to complete 120 hours counselling practise and chose to do this as a volunteer at Wigan Family Welfare.
“I began volunteering for Family Welfare during the first lockdown. I wanted to do something to help my community so I stepped up to make comfort calls to people who were isolated, shielding or living alone. I already knew about the charity’s incredible work but this was a real eye-opener – a very rewarding thing to do.
When the opportunity came up to do my practical training here, it was a natural choice. Family Welfare cares for every sector of society in the same way you would take care of a family member. Their values are shared with my own and I truly admire what they are trying to accomplish in the community.
My client counselling sessions are all supervised, which provides reassurance for me and my clients.
It’s such a caring organisation and I feel like I’ve always been here. You can ask anyone for help and they’ll be right there for you, sharing their knowledge and encouragement. I pick people’s brains a lot!
It’s true when they say volunteers get a ‘Helper’s High’. The reward is real. If I can make someone’s life feel better, even for just one hour in the day, it’s worth it.
The world is a better place for Family Welfare and the people who work there.”