About The Supported Volunteering Project

Since May 2005 Volunteer Centre Southwark has been running the Supported Volunteering project as part of Capital Volunteering. Capital Volunteering is a pan-London initiative that tackles issues of mental health, social exclusion and stigma by increasing the number and range of supported volunteering opportunities in London.

The project aims to support people with mental health problems to work actively towards their recovery by supporting them to volunteer in a wide range of settings and increase confidence, skills, social networks and employability.

Our overall aim is to decrease dependency on mental health services and create opportunities to enhance self-esteem and self-confidence as well as to step out into mainstream organisations.

It is free and easy to get involved. You, your key worker or care co-ordinator can request a referral form by giving Emma Mallinson a call on (020) 7403 2936 or e-mailing her.

We will then invite you for an informal advice session where you can ask questions you might have about volunteering and we will explore volunteering opportunities open to you in Southwark.

We will also talk about the support you might need to get started, for example help with filling in application forms or with going to visit organisations for the first time.

After the advice session we will support you in contacting organisations and complete their application process. This can vary from organisation to organisation. Some will ask for application forms others will just ask you to come in for a chat so they can get to know you.

You can also take place in our Dip in Days which are group volunteer taster sessions - giving you the chance to try out something new without any long-term commitment.

Click here to find out more about Dip in Days.