Working as a volunteer with West Cornwall Women’s Aid can be an immensely satisfying experience whether you are working as a counsellor, on the helpline, in the refuge or with outreach.
Of course, if you’ve been browsing our website in detail, we understand that it might sound just a little daunting, but fear not.
Here at West Cornwall Women’s Aid, we offer our volunteers a comprehensive training programme to enable them to work with service users who have experienced domestic abuse and sexual violence.
This is open Monday to Friday, 10-3pm. As a helpline volunteer you will provide support and information to women who call. You will also provide on-going telephone support to women who want regular telephone contact.
This is where volunteers meet service users face to face in the community, at a safe location. Volunteers provide support with emotional and practical issues. The support provided can be long-term, to meet the needs of the woman.
Across these services, our volunteers give their time and knowledge to support woman to live happier and safer lives.
Qualified counsellors can volunteer to work with us and will receive training on domestic abuse and sexual violence. We also provide counselling placements for counsellors who have been assessed as ‘fit to practice’.
Once trained, volunteers can help with our wellbeing programme which will involve group activities such as walk-and-talk, writing for wellbeing, art, singing and yoga.
As we said earlier, volunteering can be immensely satisfying – but don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what some of our volunteers have said:
“ I used to be in a domestic abuse relationship and turned to WCWA for support. When I got back on my feet and was living alone I decided to become a volunteer. I have never worked before so it opened up a whole new world and I felt I could relate to the woman I was supporting. I work on the helpline once a week and see 2 clients in the community. Volunteering gives me a sense of purpose after so many years of suffering abuse myself. I can share my story and help others going through the same thing”
Jenny – Helpline and Outreach Volunteer
“ I started volunteering for Woman’s Aid as I wanted to support women in crisis. It can, at times be very difficult and we deal with some challenging issues, however volunteering on the helpline is very rewarding and I feel I’m doing something really beneficial”
Kat - Helpline Volunteer
“ I volunteer at the Refuge, it’s a very busy environment. Women and Children come from different parts of the country and its part of my role as Refuge Volunteer to support them settling in. My days are varied, I can attend appointments with women such as the doctors or housing and support them to make the right decisions at a very difficult time. Sometimes we just sit in one of the lounges and chat, it’s good for the women living in the refuge to have someone to listen to. Volunteering is a very rewarding experience”
Melissa Refuge Volunteer
If you’ve read the above and feel inspired, think you would like to join our family, why not get in touch? You can either ring the office 01736 367543 or email vols@wcwaid.co.uk
