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The Wren Project
The Wren Project enables people with autoimmune disease to regain control of their lives. We respond to the social and emotional symptoms of autoimmune disease that are seen as secondary to the medical. Through psychosocial and community support we help to reduce isolation, improve mental health, and increase autonomy for individuals diagnosed with autoimmune disease. We help build resilience and…
Description

The Wren Project offers free, one-to-one listening support for people in distress as a result of their autoimmune disease diagnosis. The service we provide would not be possible without the commitment, empathy and support of our volunteers.

Volunteers at the Wren Project provide emotional listening support to people living with
autoimmune disease (our Wrens). We offer a safe, non-judgmental space for Wrens to talk
about how autoimmune disease is impacting their life, without giving advice or offering
solutions. Volunteers hold and hear distress in each session and through regular, ongoing
appointments, build rapport with Wrens.


Volunteers do not need to have any knowledge of experience of autoimmune disease. What
we look for is warmth and empathy.

We are the only charity in the UK who provide support for all autoimmune diseases. Our
vision is to build support and community for all four million people in the UK diagnosed with
autoimmune disease.

Duties

A self-reflective approach to learning and development supported by staff-led
reflective practice sessions. Monthly attendance required for the initial six months.

Attend three additional modules of skill-building training in the first 12 months;

Access to ongoing support from other volunteers and the Operations team;

Opportunities to support the charity in a variety of additional roles.

Who will the volunteers be working with?
Individuals diagnosed with autoimmune disease who are experiencing emotional distress.
Training
There is a four-week core training programme to equip a volunteer with the foundational principles of listening and being with distress. After a successful readiness assessment, you will enter a six-month learning-by-action process with regular training and reflective practice sessions.

Time commitment

Join a regular fortnightly shift, whereby you will support two Wrens in two separate,
one-to-one sessions of 50 minutes via telephone/video call/online.

We ask for a minimum time commitment of at least one year.
Application deadline

This organisation is one of our community partner organisations.

Like all volunteer recruiters we work with, they have signed up to our service standards, agreeing to abide by our policy on partnership working to keep you safe and supported whilst you volunteer.

You’ll never be out of pocket for volunteering through us – with in-London travel expenses to and from your volunteering guaranteed.

In addition, the team here at Students’ Union UCL Volunteering Service is here to support you throughout your volunteering journey – you can get in touch with us at any time.