Who are we?
We are a dynamic duo Alban and Maria, passionate about community wellbeing and mental health. We have experience and expertise in men's mental health, community youth participation projects, safeguarding, coaching, mentoring, listening and training.
What will we do?
We will train local volunteers as listeners to help combat loneliness and improve mental wellbeing for members of the public living in and around the Corbett Community Library. The library is a space where people come in and seek company and a chat, as well as information and it has become increasingly apparent that there are many lonely people and people seeking someone to talk to. A community listening project would be ideal. The volunteers will be fully trained as active listener and able to signpost to library activities and beyond that will help those using the service. They will be available in the library at set times and days. This will help improve community engagement, wellbeing and cohesion for both the volunteers and public. We will run the project on 3 month cycles, with a celebratory event at the end of each cycle to thank and celebrate the achievements of the volunteers and highlight the project to others. Safeguarding will be at the forefront of all activities.
What we'll deliver:
- To recruit and train at least 30 voluntEARS across 6 months
- Each voluntEAR to give at least 2 hours per week volunteering at the library
- To hold a celebratory event for volunteers and the community at the library with awards and certificates given
- To launch the service with a wellbeing event for the community at the library.
How will it benefit the community?
The project will benefit both the members of the community experiencing loneliness and those giving their time. For people experiencing difficulties and loneliness, they will have access to a safe space and a listening ear, as well as the services that the library provides and signposting for further help and advice if needed. For the volunteers, they will be trained in active listening and have the opportunity to meet other volunteers and members of the community, enhancing their skills and wellbeing. These skills can be used in many situations, helping with employment prospect and enhancing CVs. Overall the project aims to build community cohesion and engagement by bringing people together in a safe space free of charge, and also helping to promote the events and activities that are already on offer at the library. Safeguarding will sit at the heart of the project, with full safeguarding training and support given to all involved.
Steps to get it done:
The project will be a pilot to start with, with a view to expanding into other local community areas and libraries, and moving into schools to train young peer listeners within schools. We hope to get started in September / October 2024.
What will the money fund?
The funds will enable us to hire training space in the library, create and produce training materials and handbooks for our volunteers, help pay for our space within the library so that we have a base from which to work from, put on events for our volunteers and people in the community, promotion of the listening scheme, cover any expenses associated with running the listening projects and the general administration and support for the project. We also hope to create a dedicated online space for our volunteers and those using the listening service to be able to meet online safely if needed.