Volunteers’ Week is a chance to celebrate and say thank you for the fantastic contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK. It takes place from June 1 – 7 every year.
Oxfordshire Mind is thankful for the large number of volunteers who work across a range of our services. While supporting our charity, they gain valuable new skills and experiences.
Why Volunteer? Keep Learning.
Learning new skills helps to maintain our own mental wellbeing. Learning can develop our self-confidence, enable a feeling of achievement, and build our sense of purpose. Why not pick up some new skills as a volunteer for Oxfordshire Mind?
‘As our volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds, I have learnt so much from them. As our volunteers continue to grow on ‘the Line’ so to have I; picking up useful ways to talk to callers in distress, thoughtful gestures to put callers at ease and good tips using our IT systems!’ – Julia, Information Service Coordinator
Why Volunteer? Connect.
We’re social animals. We know that good relationships can improve our wellbeing. Volunteering helps us to connect with our community, growing our own sense of belonging.
Oxfordshire Mind’s Peer Support Groups build relationships within the community through a range of activities (such as art, reading and music). This Volunteer’s Week, learn more about becoming a Wellbeing Service Volunteer, and about our other voluntary roles here.
Why Volunteer? Give to Others.
Any act of kindness can make a huge difference to other people, but helping others also builds our own sense of wellbeing.
Julia, our Information Service Coordinator, recognises the support given by our Information Service Volunteers. ‘As the coordinator of the Information Service, I find our volunteers on the information line an invaluable source of support. All our volunteers are caring, compassionate and strive to give the caller the best possible experience when ringing up for help and advice.
Their dedication to the service of Oxfordshire Mind is admirable and quite often inspirational as they will demonstrate such patience with the caller. I am immensely proud of all our volunteers that work on the Information Line and, as a coordinator, I will continue to invest my time in making sure they get all the support they need to continue to make such a valuable contribution.’
You can find out more about volunteering on our Information Line here.
Why Volunteer? Be Active.
It’s well known that physical activity is one of the best things you can do for your wellbeing. Even light exercise can help to build confidence, boost energy, aid concentration and reduce stress.
This Volunteer’s Week, why not consider volunteering as a Wellbeing Walk Leader? Oxfordshire Mind’s new Walking for Wellbeing Project aims to encourage involvement in an accessible form of exercise.
Find out more about volunteering as a Wellbeing Walk Leader here.