Volunteering
One of Alternatives’ charitable objectives is to help women find routes out of poverty and progress on to more hopeful futures. To that end we champion good volunteering and work opportunities for women, as employers and beyond.
We have a structured volunteering programme with currently 10 women providing weekly volunteer support with Family Hub, as Childcare Workers or in the Baby Bank. Many are in isolated with their children in temporary accommodation and/or not allowed to work due to their immigration status.
Volunteering offers a structured, daytime role, as part of a great team, which can boost women’s mental health. The skills and experience gained through volunteering can stand women in good stead when they are allowed and ready to look for paid work.
“I find a place where I belong. I am ‘just’ a volunteer but I don’t feel like it. have a sense of belonging.”
“The people I [volunteer] with they are very kind, they are like sisters to me now.”
“I have no experience so I cannot work. Volunteering is getting experience. I would like to work in childcare. Volunteering has made a difference in my confidence. I have made more friends. I know information about childcare, safeguarding.”
As funds allow, Alternatives also offers basic skills courses such as ESOL (English as a Second or Other Language) to help increase women’s integration into the community and employability.