Volunteering
Volunteering with LWA can be a very rewarding experience and you will gain many useful personal and professional skills, as well as making a huge and positive difference to victims of domestic and sexual violence. LWA deliver a range of domestic abuse and sexual violence services for survivors across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
We can provide a range of opportunities depending on the skills you have.
Volunteering opportunities may include:
- Supporting within our domestic abuse and sexual violence services
- Supporting within our children’s services
- Support with delivering our group programmes
- Support with providing our Befriending service
- Support with fundraising
What skills do you need?
- Listening and the ability to communicate well with a variety of people is essential
- Punctuality, reliability and a commitment to volunteering
- Ability to empathise and be non-judgmental
- Prior knowledge of domestic and/or sexual violence is desirable, but not essential as training is provided
What training is provided?
Training will be provided for all roles and you need to be able to commit to attending the training. We provide a core training programme which consists of 8 training sessions. You will have the opportunity to shadow workers as part of your induction and further training opportunities to enhance your learning are provided throughout the year. Our training takes place either online or via our e-learning platform. Regular support and supervision is provided.
What commitment is required?
Ideally you need to be able to give a minimum of 4 hours a week on a regular basis for up to a year.
Would expenses be paid?
Travel and other out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed to all volunteers.
How to apply?
Please download and complete the Volunteer Application Form and return this to: nicky@lwa.org.uk
Once we have received your application, we will invite you to one of our inductions days. Following this, you will have a one-to-one informal interview with our Volunteer Coordinator who will discuss our volunteering roles further and assess whether you are suitable for the role. If suitable, you will be invited to start our induction and training process. You will be required to complete a DBS check and provide a reference before you commence your volunteer role.
Here’s what some of our volunteers have said about their experience:
“I had used LWA myself many years ago – they were truly amazing and supportive. Once I found myself again I decided that I would like to give back and help somebody else as, without the help I received, I’m not sure where I would be now. I can say I have enjoyed all my training and learning new skills in helping people. Everybody there is so kind and supportive and I’m so glad I made the choice to volunteer here.”
“Volunteering with LWA has expanded my skills, which aid in my current job as well as daily life. Engaging with people from different backgrounds and who have had different experiences has increased my people skills as well as confidence in being able to communicate with people who have gone through these experiences.”
“I feel very supported, particularly throughout the pandemic with extra check-in sessions being put in place to ensure our wellbeing is maintained.”
“Staff are approachable and always happy to help. They encourage me and frequently thank me for my contributions.”