To celebrate Volunteers Week 2022, we have asked some of London Friend's wonderful volunteers about their experience volunteering for us. A huge thank you to the volunteers that participated, and to all of our volunteers for your time and hard work that you put into volunteering for us. We are forever grateful, and could not run without you.
London Friend is a volunteer run organisation with a small staff team but 100+ volunteers that keep our services running. Some are volunteer counsellors, some are group facilitators, some help out with admin, and some help out with our drug and alcohol service. We are grateful for every moment that volunteers give up of their own time to help us.
Click here if you are interested in volunteering for us.
Lily, Facilitator of Social Support Group Changes
What is your role as a volunteer at London Friend?
I’m Lily (she/her) and I started volunteering at London Friend about 4 months ago. I was inspired to volunteer because I had a difficult time coming out and attending a London Friend peer support group helped me. A couple of years later, I wanted to make things a bit easier for someone else, so I began volunteering. I find it so rewarding because as a volunteer I help to create a safe space so that the attendees can bring support and inspiration to each other. My experience has been that London Friend is a supportive and friendly place to volunteer, it’s well-run which means I can focus on my volunteering and keep my workload manageable and balanced.
I’m one of a group of volunteers that facilitates the Changes peer support group for lesbian and bisexual women.
When is a time you've been proud of London Friend?
It’s a standout moment for me when we’re able to encourage someone who’d like to attend the group and who’s at the early stages of coming out so London Friend might be the first LGBTQ+ space they've ever entered. I know it can be intimidating, so making that first step easier and breaking down some barriers can make a real difference.
I’m most proud of London Friend every time an attendee shares with the peer support group something that is difficult for them to talk about because I see the way the peer group is so accepting, non-judgemental and gives space and support. It’s incredible and inspiring to see.
What would you say to anybody interested in becoming a volunteer at London Friend?
I’d encourage them to get in touch and find out more. Maybe try ’shadowing’ some volunteers because once they start to meet some of the volunteers, they'll see there’s a huge diversity in the range of people who volunteer and there’s space for each volunteer to bring their individuality to the role.
Julien, Facilitator of Social Support Group Turning Point
What is your role as a volunteer at London Friend?
Julien (he/they), Fashion freelancer
I started volunteering in August 2021. I’m a co-host in the weekly support group, mainly Turning Point. I particularly wanted to start volunteering for London Friend because I’m happy enough to be surrounded by amazing friends and to be part of an amazing queer community and I wanted to be able to offer support and guidance to anyone that would need it.
I went specifically to London Friend because a friend did a project with this charity.
When is a time you've been proud of London Friend?
I really enjoy being regular in the groups and getting to know everyone’s stories and seeing how everyone is moving along with their own journeys. I think offering these social groups to LGBTQIA+ humans is amazing and gives them a healthy and sober space to meet and share experiences.
What would you say to anybody interested in becoming a volunteer at London Friend?
Do it! The team is lovely, it feels very rewarding, and make sure you can commit to being able to enjoy it to its fullest.
Ellie, Volunteer Counsellor at London Friend
What is your role as a volunteer at London Friend?
Ellie Rowland-Callanan (she/her), a Volunteer Counsellor at London Friend
When is a time you've been proud of London Friend?
I'm very new to this role but what made me apply was the long history of supporting LGBTQIA+ people and the community offered, which I have joyfully seen first-hand since joining already. It's brilliant how London Friend continues to evolve to meet the ever-changing needs of the diverse cohort it serves.
What would you say to anybody interested in becoming a volunteer at London Friend?
I would say to fellow mental health professionals and to my "chosen family" to get involved and volunteer with London Friend. There are opportunities for everyone.
Birthday wish for London Friend’s 50th anniversary
Ban conversion therapy for all in the UK and globally.
Ben, Facilitator of drop-in service Opening Doors, a social group for LGBTQ+ people over 50
What is your role as a volunteer at London Friend?
Hi! I'm Ben (He/Him/His) and I'm a freelance filmmaker. I originally wanted to start volunteering with London Friend in 2020, but when the pandemic hit, I went to film school and unfortunately didn't have the time. Now that my schedule is more flexible, I've finally been able to volunteer.
I started volunteering in March. I chose London Friend because, growing up in London, so many of my friends benefitted from the services they offer, some of whom I am frankly still alive today because of them. Naturally, they've always had a special place in my learning.
Giving back to the LGBTQIA+ community is important to me because of the services they offer. I could have really benefitted from when I was younger, coming to terms with my sexuality and identity. Even in such a large, progressive city and period of time, I struggled hugely with feeling otherly and isolated. And connecting with members of the queer community who have had the same or similar experiences as I had - and still do, to some degree - has been the biggest reward.
My current role with London Friend is, among others, helping with their drop-in service Opening Doors, a social group for LGBTQIA+ people aged over 50.
When is a time you've been proud of London Friend?
There have been several standout moments helping run the group. As someone of a younger generation, I've learned hugely from the attendees about their backgrounds and our history as queer people. The decades of social hardships that were persevered paved the way for where we are today. Most importantly, it's emphasised to me how lucky I, my generation and those younger are. It's made me realise how important, even as a young queer person, it is to be literate in our communities' history.
In addition, the commonalities I've shared in conversation with attendees have been profound. It's a lovely thing to find commonality in experience with people who, though in the same community, lived in a completely different time, one not so embracing. The learnings have been a gift, really.
What would you say to anybody interested in becoming a volunteer at London Friend?
Volunteering for a charity that has helped not only friends of mine, but the new people I get to meet every few weeks makes me immensely proud. London Friend's ethos is one to be proud to be a part of acceptance, open-mindedness, and exclusive dedication to the queer community, old and new.
To anyone wanting to volunteer with London Friend, do! It's the most welcoming and warm environment I've ever worked/volunteered in. For me, it's just as much a service to myself as it is to others.
Isi, Lead of Social Support Group Changes
What is your role as a volunteer at London Friend?
I’m Isi (she/her), Lead for Changes, a peer support group for lesbian and bisexual women.
I started volunteering about a year ago, and I wanted to support the oldest LGBT+ charity that has a great history. I love the LGBTQIA+ community, I am who I am thanks to my queer support system, and want to be that same support to whoever else may need it.
When is a time you've been proud of London Friend?
The most recent work that has been undertaken to improve racial and neurodivergence diversity.
What would you say to anybody interested in becoming a volunteer at London Friend?
Go for it! Not just to give back, but also for yourself.
Birthday wish for London Friend’s 50th anniversary
Happy Birthday and thank you for all the work you do. x
William, Antidote drop-in keyworker
What is your role as a volunteer at London Friend?
I'm William (he/him). I started volunteering with London Friend in December 2021 following a recommendation from a previous partner and 20 months of engagement with the organisation myself.
The decision to volunteer with London Friend is an expression of gratitude for the kindness, help and support I received in my recovery, and the journey from misery and despair to one of hope, healing and connection.
In my role as an Antidote drop in keyworker, I support service users with alcohol/drug-related issues to engage in healthier lifestyle choices, safer practices and focus on recovery.
When is a time you've been proud of London Friend?
Seeing service users walk away with some hope and meaning, the Antidote team and co-presenting at the 50th-anniversary showcase in Feb 2022, have been the highlights of my volunteer experience with LF so far.
What would you say to anybody interested in becoming a volunteer at London Friend?
Anyone interested in volunteering with LF would be welcomed by a warm, friendly and supportive safe space within which to learn, grow and become the best version of themselves.
50th Anniversary Wish
Wish May peace, love, joy and harmony continue to unite us and keep the funding flowing 🙏
