I wish to help
Volunteer
Would you like to work at the frontline of suicide prevention?
Our carefully selected and trained Volunteer Befrienders are key to Maytree. They work alongside our Lead Befriender team to provide an open and containing space for people who are in suicidal crisis.
We are always looking for naturally compassionate and good listeners, who are self-reflective and emotionally resilient, to join us at our house in north London.
About Volunteer Befriending at Maytree
Befriending at Maytree is as its sounds: sitting alongside our guests as a compassionate, confidential, and non-judgemental friend. Through active listening and human warmth our volunteers enable our guests to explore their feelings and their options in their own way and in their own time. This face-to-face support is not therapy; it is about being calm and committed and not afraid of difficult subjects, including suicide.
For more information, please see our Volunteer Role Description.
How to Apply?
To apply, please complete this Application Form and send it to maytree@maytree.org.uk
Please note that we do not offer placements to our volunteers.
Not everyone is suited to what we do at Maytree, and our application and training processes are selective.
We encourage applications from people in the BAME and LGBTQ+ communities and are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment.
Volunteer Training
Successful applicants will be invited for an interview. If successful at interview you will be invited onto Maytree’s volunteer training course as part of the selection process.
Training dates are either 2 consecutive Saturdays 10am – 4pm or 2 consecutive Sundays 10am – 4pm. Training days are followed by 2 inductions days, which are 2 consecutive Wednesdays either ( 10.30am – 1.30pm or 2.30pm – 5.30pm ). New Volunteers will then be able to book 2 shadow shifts from the rota on Guest days, under supervision of staff and experienced volunteers.
All course dates must be attended, any missed session will result in applicants having to redo the entire training course. New volunteers will also undertake Maytree’s online training courses including 1st aid, Equality Diversity and inclusion training, unconscious bias training and gender identity and expression training. Volunteers will receive certificates for all completed courses to use as part of their continued professional development.
Volunteers that successfully pass the training course and shadow shifts are on probation for three months but please be assured staff and experienced volunteers are on hand to support you. Although we do have volunteers on placement the service we offer is befriending and not counselling. You will need to check with your training provider if Maytree would be suitable to use as a placement – Maytree does not offer clinical supervision. As with all of our volunteers the minimum commitment we ask for is one year.
If you would like to join the extraordinary people who make our work possible please email carol@maytree.org.uk or call 0207 272 6863. Most applicants are invited for interview and if accepted as Volunteers will be subject to a DBS check.
Alternatively, you can fill in the form below and we will get back to you shortly.
Volunteers are an essential part of everything that happens at Maytree. As we seek to reopen the house, we would be delighted to hear from anyone who is interested in volunteering at Maytree. Please email maytree@maytree.org.uk to register your interest.
As a volunteer at Maytree I have met people with little hope and trust in life. It is beautiful to see how that can change during a short stay here, and to feel part of that process.
