This December, we’re taking part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge again – and from midday 2nd to midday 9th December, every donation will be doubled. That means £20 becomes £40, and donations go twice as far to support our community.
This year, we’re aiming to raise £6,250 to recruit, train and support 30 more volunteers for 2026. We have chosen to focus on volunteer recruitment and training as Volunteers are absolutely vital to the service Changes Bristol provides.
We would not be able to do what we do without volunteers. Not only do they underpin the delivery of our service, they also enable the ‘peer support’ part of what we do to happen, and for outcomes to be sustainable and impactful.
“In the peer support groups there are no experts in the room, no one tells anyone what you should do. The equality and balance of the group has had the biggest impact on me. Communicating in this supportive way has really helped me in my day to day life. It encourages kindness and caring, and this is how I try to go about my life now.”– Kiran, previous Changes Volunteer.
We run 17 peer support groups a week across Bristol and online. 15 of these weekly groups are co-facilitated by volunteers, and 8 are facilitated solely by volunteers (i.e. no Changes staff are present). Our telephone befriending service is also carried out solely by volunteers, with on average 20 hours of calls being made per week by volunteers to isolated members within Bristol.
Volunteers are the beating heart of Changes Bristol. One of our wonderful volunteers Helen has shared why she values volunteering in the video below.
Peer support relies on shared experiences – in our services volunteers and members provide each other with emotional support, coping mechanisms, knowledge, practical tips and resources. Peer support is reinforced through non-judgement, quality and mutuality. Throughout our services everyones’ experiences and viewpoints are valued equally. There is no ‘professional’ or ‘client’ – there is no ‘right answer’. This process helps members and volunteers find the answer that works the best for them and their personal circumstances. Volunteers and Members each give support and receive support.
‘‘I love the mutual and balanced aspect of Changes. We are all part of the same thing, there is no hierarchy. Changes feels more equal. It is an exceptional place.” -Changes Volunteer
Our volunteers are trained in peer support, group facilitation and safeguarding. We provide reflective practice sessions and peer support groups specifically for our volunteers. We host volunteer socials and one on one supervision sessions every 3 months for each volunteer. We need your help to support all of this and the effective outcomes it helps to achieve for our members.
Please donate from midday 2nd to midday 9th December, and have your donation doubled to support volunteers at Changes Bristol.
‘Having the facilitators share (what’s going on for them) is what makes the group work, that’s the bit that’s so empowering for the members, we are all members, in it together. No one is exempt, low mental health doesn’t discriminate’ – Changes Volunteer
With thanks from the Changes Bristol team, Volunteer and Members.