Walking Group Volunteer - (Merton)
What You'll Do:
- Encourage conversation, connection, and gentle physical activity in a supportive and friendly environment, helping service users feel safe, included, and confident during walks.
- Create an inclusive, encouraging atmosphere where service users can build social skills, connect with others, and increase self esteem.
- Provide light, practical support with shopping trips, such as visiting local shops before or after walks.
- Help service users plan small shopping tasks (e.g., picking up essentials).
- Lead or co lead regular walking sessions with service users in local parks, streets, and community areas.
- Encourage independence while offering reassurance and support with navigating shops, queues, and payment if needed.
- Assist service users in becoming more familiar with their neighbourhood, including shops, parks, cafes, and community spaces
- Help identify opportunities to take part in local activities that promote independence and wellbeing.
- Report any concerns or changes in a service user’s wellbeing to staff promptly.
Why You'll Love It:
- - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
- We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun
What You'll Learn:
You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
What We're Looking For:
- Friendly, patient, and supportive
- Good communication and listening skills
- Empathetic and encouraging
- Reliable and able to maintain professional boundaries