Street Aid Society: Welfare Officer

Hi, I'm Mary, a first year studying Natural Sciences, and a committed StreetAider! Having attended Street Aid outreaches over the last two terms, I'm keen to get more involved with this society that has such a beautiful mission.

Through the role of Welfare Officer, I want to help create a welcoming, inclusive and safe environment, but also a space for conversation about our interactions with those experiencing homelessness and how we can be empowered by our compassion.

Practically, this will look like: 

• Supporting socials to create space for conversation and peer support
• Consistent presence at outreaches to ensure I'm a familiar, accessible point of contact for any concerns
• Sending out forms so that people have a platform to raise any issues/worries
• Providing details and support with accessing mental health resources
• Raising safeguarding concerns with the rest of committee

My previous experience:

• Volunteering with Go Beyond: a charity providing respite for young carers and children in poverty. I learnt about safeguarding, and creating a caring and inclusive environment.
• Form Guardian: a secondary school role that involved overseeing a form of 30 students, advocating students' concerns, and signposting people to further support.
• Peer Mentor training: 2 days of intensive training in mental health first aid and active listening. 

Thank you for reading my nomination!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out at [email protected]!

Street Aid Society’s work helping the homeless is incredibly meaningful, inspiring and rewarding. I love being part of the community of volunteers, meeting new people while helping others. I believe maintaining a supportive and welcoming environment within the society is just as important. I would aim to ensure that members feel comfortable, respected and able to engage with the society’s outreaches and events in a positive way while working towards an important cause.

Through my experience as a peer mentor, I have developed strong listening and communication skills. Supporting students requires patience and empathy, especially when they’re worried or upset. I learnt the importance of creating a safe and encouraging environment where people feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and concerns while feeling heard. I would ensure members feel listened to and help signpost them to appropriate university support services if needed

If selected, I would encourage anonymous feedback forms and regular check-ins. I am mindful that volunteering can be emotionally challenging, and I would promote supportive spaces for members to reflect on their experiences.

I would approach the role with empathy and reliability to help maintain a welcoming community within Street Aid Society.

Having attended numerous Street Aid Society outreaches over the last term I really can say that they make a difference to people's lives even if small. I love being part of a team of people who are so committed and driven to helping people and would be honoured to be a bigger part of this society. What is unique about this society is that it brings together people from all different backgrounds with the shared goal of making people's days on the street a little better and I would love to help encourage more people to support this local cause. If I were an addition to the team I would help to foster a positive and community driven environment. Most of all, I'd want to put all focus maximising efforts to help as many people as possible in a personal way. For example, during the Christmas outreaches I loved writing cards and feel that whilst this was a small gesture it would've brightened up people's days a little bit. It's through efforts like these that not only remind people that they are still thought about and cared for which will hopefully give them comfort in lonely times, but also helps remind us that we're all people and that no one deserves to be ignored especially if they're in need of help. Even if someone doesn't feel like a hot drink merely the small act of conversation with someone can make such a big difference to their day and everyone deserves to be listened to. I really hope to be a part of the team and continue to help make a difference to people's lives!