Listening Volunteers

• The Wren Project

• VO105483

The Wren Project is a volunteer-led charity that provides free, remote, one-to-one, ongoing listening support for people in distress and living with autoimmune disease. There are over 120 autoimmune diseases currently diagnosed by the NHS and these include Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis and Crohn's disease- they are all chronic illnesses which can have life altering impacts.
The Wren Project requires volunteers to offer listening support to people living with an autoimmune disease diagnosis. In appointments, volunteers offer listening support, where Wrens can talk about how autoimmune disease is impacting their life, without giving advice or offering solutions. Volunteers join a regular fortnightly shift during which they meet with up to 2 Wrens in two 50-minute appointments. Volunteers do not need to have qualifications or any knowledge or experience of autoimmune disease. We are looking for warm, empathetic, caring and resilient individuals who want to help others and have the time to offer ongoing, non-judgemental, listening support.
Excellent support and relevant training is provided to all volunteers. Volunteers will be invited to participate in a remote, 5-week training programme focusing on listening skills, courageous inquiry, turning towards difficulty and living with autoimmune disease.
What difference will you make?
Our volunteers will provide a space for those in distress with an Autoimmune Disease to feel heard. Through listening and reflecting with our Wrens, our volunteers can help Wrens to feel supported and less isolated. To hear it from our Wrens, here is some of the feedback we have received on listening sessions with our volunteers:
'My volunteer has gently and skilfully supported me to reflect and reframe my anxieties and facilitated me to look forwards with more positivity. It is work in progress but I am able to encounter set backs with a little less fear and a title more positivity because of my listeners support' - A Wren
'Thank you - you’ve made the whole experience feel so safe, validating and welcoming. One of the very few [people] I’ve felt able to really be vulnerable with emotionally and you have helped me begin to process my health issues' - A Wren
'I really felt able to build a rapport and trusting relationship with my volunteer. Made a big difference to coping' - A Wren
-For more information please contact our Volunteer Recruitment at email: [email protected]
-Further details about volunteering with The Wren Project are also available at https://www.wrenproject.org/find-out-about-volunteering

Travel details

This opportunity is 100% remote.

• About
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• Notes

Support

Training details

Excellent support and training is provided to all volunteers.
Volunteers attend a 5 evening training course with a final 'readiness assesment' to make sure the participant feels ready to listen to Wrens and that we feel confident in them doing so. From there, volunteers have a 1-1 1 hour induction on their first shift. Volunteers will then be asked to come to monthly group reflective practice sessions. They have on call access to support by our volunteer manager.

Restrictions

Minimum age: 18

Frequency & commitment

The volunteering times are flexible. All help makes a real difference and is greatly appreciated.

Volunteers (aged 18-25) taking part in this opportunity are eligible to claim Saltire Awards hours for their activity.
Find out more

This volunteering opportunity is also advertised across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

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