Community Support Volunteers – Wish
Community Link supports women with mental health needs moving from prison or secure hospital into the community. It empowers women to build the skills and self-esteem necessary to make long-lasting, meaningful change in their lives. Intensive working is essential in the period immediately following release for women identified as being most vulnerable back in the community.
Volunteers form a vital part of the Community Link team, based in the Old St office, responding to the various needs of women all over Greater London.
Volunteers work with a small caseload of women – mainly those who are newly-released, or who contact Wish in times of crisis.
Your role may encompass:
* providing face-to-face or phone support to women in crisis
* accompanying women to meetings with social services, probation or other agencies
* escorting women home from prison
* attending court with women
* supporting women to become comfortable leaving the house or using public transport
* providing social contact – going to a café, park, cinema, sports, museums etc
* assisting with shopping, household management or other life skills
* supporting women to attend the weekly Wish drop-in
No previous experience is necessary, as Wish provides comprehensive induction and training, including lots of shadowing.
You will:
* be able to commit to at least one regular day a week
* have excellent ‘people skills’
* be a good listener
* be compassionate and non-judgemental
* be able to use your initiative and think creatively
* understand the need for confidentiality
* be able to handle difficult situations sensitively
* have a firm belief in women’s rights
* be a woman (we are a women-only organisation)
Wish recognises the importance of investing in good volunteers; some of our volunteers have been with us for more than a decade. You will have regular supervision and attend social events where all our volunteers exchange ideas and receive peer support. We also support volunteers with their wider careers, providing access to training, skills updates, interview preparation, references, and valuable work experience.
Send a CV and brief cover letter to p.bennett@womenatwish.org.uk
