The why
Why do we help people find friendship, connection and purpose and encourage volunteering?
It’s good for us!
The huge amount of research and evidence out there backs up what we see everyday—that social isolation and loneliness are very bad for us. In fact, they can make us very unwell.
And volunteering connects us directly with those around us and is particularly beneficial in creating a sense of belonging in our local community.
So, we see that creating a safe, encouraging, friendly environment is a vital antidote to isolation and loneliness, and cultivating good health and wellbeing. Hence our focus on building community.
The how
We take the stance that we’re all in this together—it’s not “us” and “them”. None of us have got it perfect but, by building trust, sharing our journeys, and showing we haven’t got it all perfect, we can build reciprocal relationships that value and accept one another.
None of us want to be seen as “the needy one” yet, from time to time, all of us need help! But the way we help each other is really important—our role isn’t to ‘fix’ someone else, or to duplicate services, but to come alongside someone—for example, by helping them to explore and express the reasons they don’t want to engage; or by meeting someone in ‘their’ space, before expecting them to come to ours.
Sometimes our background leads us to behave in a particular way. But modelling a different way of being—helping people see an alternative to current cycles and behaviours in relationships—is the first step in enabling a choice so healthier relationships can flourish. It’s why we place such an emphasis on demonstrating love, bringing hope, practising commitment and creating peace ourselves. Modelling good-humoured acceptance, forgiveness and not taking offence are all key in bringing diverse people together, as are a willingness to join in activities as peers without any sense of status.
Replication is really important. Some people are able to act as cultural brokers—bridge builders who reach into worlds which others couldn’t. And that explicit handing over of power to others draws out potential and causes new community leaders to emerge. As we encourage each other, people see themselves differently, stepping up and developing their role as volunteers. Often this starts as a very low-key, unofficial commitment which allows people to grow in confidence and self-worth.
This can all sound rather fluffy—but actually it’s very deliberate, intentional and articulated so that others can understand and replicate over time. Life isn’t straight-forward or linear, and contrary to a project-mindset, longevity gives time for people to ‘journey’ (particularly important for the most isolated and supports people on longer term journeys into volunteering, employment and improved relationships.
So when people ask us what we do… well, the “doing” changes according to the people involved. The “how” is far more important, and there are some very common elements: welcoming well, sharing food, experiences and humour together, and an intentional facilitation of conversation to avoid cliques and encourage connection between people which means when someone is missing, there’s a phone call, or text. Or buddying up the most vulnerable, with sensitivity and patience so they feel safe. Or having the hard conversation.
In the words of one local person…
I didn't know people could be home. But they are!