What’s involved in volunteering?
Our volunteers are aged 18 to 80 and come from all walks of life to play a vital role in keeping Anawim’s services running smoothly.
With varied work that ranges from counselling, casework, admin and outreach projects, there is something to suit everyone.
We’re very lucky to have a network of enthusiastic, committed and passionate volunteers working with us, and are always on the lookout for other people to join us – could that be you? We’re currently looking for volunteers for our centre, our charity shop and to help with fundraising.
Find out more:
Charity Shop Volunteer
We have opened a charity shop in Moseley to provide goods to the local community, promote our services, and provide women with work opportunities and a safe space. Volunteers will be able to support the running of the shop, as well as provide a friendly and supportive environment for the women that visit us there. There is more information on the roles and responsibilities here.
Volunteer Caseworker - Not Currently Available
Volunteer Caseworkers work closely with our women from the beginning of their journey at Anawim. Supporting them with everything from housing to attending appointments, advocacy, CV writing and linking up with other agencies. These volunteers need to commit to at least six hours with us per week. There is more information on the roles and responsibilities here.
Centre Volunteer
As an centre volunteer you may be assigned to one of many of our projects including: Central Services, Early Interventions, Criminal Justice Service. This could include answering the door and welcoming any visitors, dealing with face to face queries, updating database of service users’ engagement/attendance; appointments, courses, social groups. and replenishing/restocking supplies for the centre. We ask for at least 6 months’ commitment in order to benefit from the training, gain knowledge of your role and crucially to enable you to build working relationships with the women. There is more on the roles and responsibilities here.
Volunteer Counsellor - Not Currently Available
Counselling is a key part of the support package we offer to women in a safe space. We also offer counselling student placements, however we do require a minimum of 30 hours of the 100 hours completed so that the student counsellor has some experience before joining us.
Fundraising and Communications Volunteer
You will support and collaborate with the fundraising team, to plan events and campaigns, and identify potential donors, sponsors and partners. The role will involve getting involved with our social media and website maintenance, as well as our community outreach work, and helping to produce marketing materials. There is more information on the roles and responsibilities here.
What our volunteers get out of it
Volunteers get involved for many reasons – whether it’s to develop new skills, gain experience to find a job, meet new people or find a renewed sense of purpose. That’s why we invest time in every volunteer, to ensure that their individual interests, ideas and goals are heard and supported.
All volunteers, students and placements receive an induction, supervision and free training. On top of this, we have shadowing positions available so volunteers can develop their skills across a wide range of departments and we create opportunities aimed at boosting their confidence and responsibilities.
We aim to make our volunteers feel valued and appreciated so we celebrate them through annual awards and by rewarding them with certificates of achievement. We hold an Investing in Volunteers accreditation.
If you’re interested in becoming an Anawim volunteer, take a look at our volunteering opportunities above – if you’d like to get involved, please complete an application form and send it to volunteering@anawim.co.uk.
I believe it is important for the women, especially those on their initial visits, to be ‘received’ into a friendly and safe space and for them to ‘receive’ me too. When a woman arrives in the common room in a low place (emotional, anxious or fearful), a listening ear, a non-judgmental attitude, a friendly face, acceptance and assurance of confidentiality can diffuse the emotional pain, at least temporarily. Karen
Anawim volunteer
For any general enquiries relating to volunteering, please contact us
Find out more about our approach and impact here
Look at other ways to support us here
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