Join us as A
Volunteer
What does a volunteer do at out hub?
The Butterfly Effect offers many kinds of support, so being a volunteer here can involve lots of different things.
If you volunteer at our drop-in sessions, you will:
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chat with the people who come to us for support, listening to what’s happening in their lives
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help people with similar interests connect with each other
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ensure refreshments are on hand everyone who comes in
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play games together
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be there to listen if someone wants to talk about something difficult or needs one-on-one support when they’re having a tough day.
Why Volunteer with Butterfly Effect
If you enjoy arts and crafts, you might have ideas to share with people during the craft groups. Crocheting is very popular, but we welcome all kinds of arts and crafts. We also encourage people to bring in projects they are working on at home so they have company while they create.
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We also run Walk and Talk, which is a lovely way to help people get fresh air and chat in a small group or one-on-one. We have some good routes starting from the hub that are about 2.5 miles long. If the weather isn’t good, we have a comfortable space where people can have refreshments and chill out.
Are you interested in volunteering?
Deciding to volunteer with us is a big step, and we really appreciate it! We offer support and a safe place for people from all backgrounds. We are looking for volunteers who:
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understand mental health and wellbeing, or perhaps have personal experience
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are caring and can listen well without judging
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are flexible and willing to try new things to help the people we support.
What can you expect as a volunteer?
Deciding to volunteer with us is a big step, and we really appreciate it! We offer support and a safe place for people from all backgrounds. We are looking for volunteers who:
Community
Join a dedicated and caring community who are making a difference in people's lives.
Activity
Being a volunteer here involves being active and moving around. All volunteers wear a T-shirt so that people can easily see who we are.
Training
Our volunteers also get opportunities for training and development. For example, some of our volunteers are trained as Mental Health First Aiders. This is a very important role to help anyone who has a serious mental health emergency. Because we have a kitchen, some volunteers also get training in how to handle food safely.
From one of our Volunteers
Joy is a volunteer at Butterfly Effect Wellbeing.
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“I volunteer once a week at a social drop-in session. As volunteers set up the kitchen, suggest games or activities, and chat with the people who use our services about all sorts of things.
“We make time to chat with people individually if they need extra support that day.
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“I also help at events during the year, like summer fetes and even bingo nights! I give the time I can; as volunteers, we all have different lives and commitments, but we all do what we can to be flexible and make sure our services and events can keep running.”
Register your interest to become a volunteer
No matter how much time you can give to support those who need it most in our community, please get in touch with us using the ‘Contact us’ information. We’ll be happy to help you start the process.
Register interest
Use the link below to kick start your journey with us! First, we'll have an informal chat at the hub. This is so you can see what the place is like and how we do things. We'll ask you about your experiences, any volunteering or work experience you might have that would be helpful, and how you might like to volunteer.
Visit the sessions
If this first meeting goes well, we'll invite you to come to some sessions to meet other volunteers and the people who use our services. Over a few days or weeks, you'll learn more about what being a volunteer involves and how it might fit into your life.
Formal application
If this next step is going well, you will then fill out a formal application. This includes a background check (called a DBS check) through our partners, Rainbow Services in Harlow. When we get the results of your DBS check back, which can take a few weeks, you become a team member and can wear your volunteer T-shirt!
Get in Touch
Butterfly Effect Wellbeing
Harlow