Volunteer

We’re always looking for passionate people to share their time and skills with us. If you’d like to volunteer with us, please email sprecruitment@stayingput.org.uk.

Our current volunteers share their experiences below. You can also see our current board members here.

Hannah

I was looking for work and I thought it may help if I got some experience. I came across Staying Put, and the roles looked really interesting. I wanted to work in the community and with vulnerable woman so Staying Put was a good fit and I applied.

I have worked many different roles as a volunteer, and it has been very rewarding. I have done welfare calls to speak to clients on the waiting list for an IDVA, I would offer emotional and listening support and reassurance and check for any new support needs. I have done a lot of admin work to record the contacts I have had with clients. I have volunteered for the power of change group, this is a group to support people who have gone through domestic abuse to build better boundaries and awareness of healthy relationships and recognising red flags.

I have been trained as part of my volunteering and to help me in my role, including how to use the admin systems and how to make client calls. I have received a lot of training around domestic abuse and safeguarding.

The best thing about volunteering is giving your time to help others. It feels really meaningful being part of someone’s journey. It also helps me towards my goal which is to get a part time job helping people.

If someone was thinking of volunteering at Staying Put I would tell them to go for it as it is a warm and friendly environment and you get to make a difference.

Jahlekah

I have been volunteering at Staying Put for six months as I am passionate and motivated to support others, the service and to make a difference in people’s lives. I have had my own experience of domestic abuse and this was one of the reasons I wanted to volunteer here and be supportive to those in need.

In my role I have contacted people over the telephone around the Power of Change group, talking to people who have experienced or at risk of experiencing abuse, to answer questions they have, discuss any worries and encourage attendance. I also supported delivery of the group with a lead facilitator. I have supported at drops in in partner services, at New Vision Bradford, to anyone who comes and seeks advise and support, including professionals from other services. I work well with others, in a team, and collaborate with them around meeting the needs of the people we support

Volunteering has helped me strengthen my skills in particular communication skills, active listening skills, responding with empathy and being non-judgemental, and being kind, calm and patient. I now have a good knowledge of services and resources within Staying Put and externally and I am confident with administration tasks and the use of IT and communication systems.

I have always felt supported in my role, and I have been given lots of training, support and guidance, and I am being supported towards my goal of having a permanent job here. It is a very welcoming environment and I would recommend volunteering at Staying Put to anyone!

Racheal

Before volunteering here, I had my own experiences of trauma and difficult times. This included domestic abuse, and coercive and controlling behaviour from two individuals who befriended me, made me feel special and loved, but once in the relationship they exploited me through getting me addicted, committing crime for them and isolating me from family and friends. Eventually I was caught and imprisoned. This was the first time I had been in trouble, and walking onto the prison wing I thought “what have I done”. I couldn’t see my family or my children for nearly a year and it made me determined to change my life and never end up in the same place again. I knew I wanted to leave prison a better person than I went in so took all the courses I could and worked with the staff so that when I left, I could start helping others who had experienced abuse too. 

My worker suggested volunteering at Staying Put and arranged for me to meet a manager. I talked about my experience and was honest about my conviction and learned about the support Staying Put offered. It felt like a good match, so I applied and completed the induction and training process. The training covered a lot, including safeguarding, confidentiality, different types of abuse people experience and processes that take place to support people. 

I have now been volunteering for a few months, and I love it! My role has varied, I am based in the community hub so sometimes I might be speaking with other services and professionals about Staying Put, other times I might be calling clients to check in and get feedback or support them to access the Power to Change group. As I gain confidence and experience I will move into other roles, this will include supporting the IDVA and ISVA team who help people who have experienced domestic abuse or sexual violence through the court process, and being trained to support outreach staff who work alongside the police and respond to emergency call outs. 

Volunteering has helped me develop my skills. I have strengthened my listening skills, and my empathy, I am more confident with I.T and have experienced working in different teams. I am supported 100% and feel valued as a volunteer, and the staff have inspired me to think about my future career and that I have the potential to get a job here in future.  Through the support I offer to individuals and the service I am able to reduce the shame and stigma about what is often seen as a taboo subject and turn my own negative experiences in my life into something positive, and give people hope. 

For anyone thinking about volunteering with us I would say DO IT! It is so rewarding and you will change your life and other peoples along the way.

Testimonials