Are you passionate about tackling hidden homelessness? Could you offer your time to help someone who has experienced homelessness improve their wellbeing? Are you looking for experience of working with a charity? Join our team of volunteers to help improve the lives of people from your local community. Take a look at our volunteering opportunities below.
The Social Connection Project is a befriending project that provides support to people moving away from homelessness by helping them overcome social barriers, isolation and loneliness. The project has been running successfully in Brighton since 2020 and has recently begun operation in Manchester.
The project matches volunteers with people who have experienced homelessness who will meet up regularly to engage in fun community activities, depending on what the client is interested in. This could be going for a walk, exercising together, going for coffee, or accompanying them to an event - anything you both fancy.
As a volunteer in our befriending scheme, you will help the person you are matched with:
The project is flexible but we expect you to meet up or have phone contact every week for a minimum of 3 months. There will be a loose program / pathway to follow that you will develop alongside our friendly Project Coordinators, and your client.
“I find volunteering with Justlife so rewarding. I meet with my befriendee every week and we have a lot of fun going out for coffee or hunting for bargains in a charity shop. It takes up very little of my time but I come away feeling I have made a difference to her week.”
- Belinda, Justlife Befriending Volunteer
Experience of mentoring others, lived experience of homelessness, or working with the homeless community would be an asset but isn't necessary.
All new volunteers will undertake our training programme which includes online training, group training and a quiz.
Volunteers can access monthly one-to-one supervision with the Project Coordinator, regular peer support meetings, and ongoing training opportunities.
“The support I've received from Si at Justlife has also been immeasurable, at no point have I felt that I've been thrown in the deep end as he is always there to provide advice. The Social Connection Project recognises the humanity and individuality of every person and that is something that really resonates with me.”
- Lucille, Justlife volunteer
