Volunteer Spotlight – Alison Hancock

“I used to work for 1625, so I knew about Indy kits. When I left, and they were looking for a volunteer for the Indy kits, I thought, I could do that!

I wanted to stay a part of 1625ip and stay connected, and I still had a lot of love and care for the organisation I wanted to give.”

What teams or projects did you engage with?

“I have worked on Indy kits and with the Communications and Marketing team. I have also helped with events like Sleep Out. Recently I have been helping with setting up the IndyShop and now help manage it. I have worked alongside the PAL team doing some admin, doing relief work at St George’s house, and covering reception, so I have a lot of experience across the organisation.”

What difference and impact did it have on you?

“Some people don’t feel very useful when they retire, and being part of Indy kits has countered that for me. So I have stayed engaged and in touch with what is happening at 1625 and still feel part of the organisation.

When you don’t get jobs you have applied for, it can be demoralising, but volunteering can make you feel useful. It keeps my skills alive and relevant. I have carried on with my computer skills and engaging with everybody connected to 1625, young people, the staff and other volunteers.”

What is the IndyShop?

The Independent Shop is a ‘free shop’ service for young people entering 1625 services with little to no belongings of their own, to help them get on their feet and begin making their new house a home.

You can donate items to the shop or make a monetary donation online to support the vital services we deliver to young people here.

To find out more about the types of items you can donate, email fundraising@1625ip.co.uk.

Opening times:

Tuesdays 2pm – 4pm & Thursdays 12pm – 2pm

Address:

1625ip, Kingsley Hall, 58 Old Market Street, Bristol, BS2 0ER (next door to the main entrance)

Volunteer Vacancies

Community Mentoring (South Glos and Bristol)

Mentoring can transform lives, both for the Mentor and the Mentee. We are welcoming applications from individuals interested in volunteering as a Community Mentor in South Gloucestershire and Bristol. Focusing on encouraging young people to develop confidence, self-esteem and improved interpersonal skills, and supporting mentees to get to know their community and try new things.

If you can spare an hour or two a week and:

• are empathetic, patient and reliable
• have good listening skills
• have enthusiasm to talk about your own experiences and share knowledge appropriately

we’d love to hear from you!

For South Glos email max.harris@1625ip.co.uk  for Bristol email puegee.lam@1625ip.co.uk  and they will contact you for an informal chat.

Peer Supporters

We are currently inviting young people to join us as 1625ip peer supporters.  Peer supporters are volunteers aged 16-28 who have similar lived experiences as the young people we work with.

Peer support could include:

• Supporting a peer or peers in a group setting, alongside 1625ip staff, taking part in sessions like football, blog writing, music, healthy relationship groups etc.
• Co-presenting information (peer education) or training others internally or externally with a member of staff
• Contacting young people to promote engagement

It’s a great opportunity for anyone looking to get into youth work, support work, training, or social care and education.  Equally it may appeal to someone who wants to give back having benefitted from support they’ve received.  Please email volunteering@1625ip.co.uk and one of the volunteer coordinators will get back to you.

Click here for all our volunteering opportunities.