We are absolutely delighted to announce that we have been awarded a grant of £19,982 from the National Lottery Community Fund. This funding will enable us to create a part-time Volunteer Wellbeing Facilitator role over the next two years, dedicated to supporting the wellbeing of our invaluable community of 50 volunteer mediators.
Supporting Our Volunteer Mediators in Challenging Times
Our volunteer mediators have been facing increasingly complex and challenging situations, largely due to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, which has hit communities, especially those in social housing, particularly hard. Recognising the crucial role these volunteers play in helping people manage and resolve conflicts effectively, we believe it is essential to prioritise their wellbeing.
This new Volunteer Wellbeing Facilitator will be responsible for ensuring our mediators receive the support they need. They will undergo coaching-based training, which will equip them with the skills necessary to support our volunteers effectively. Additionally, they will be tasked with researching and implementing innovative ways to promote the wellbeing of our mediators, fostering stronger relationships and a supportive network within our community.
The Positive Impact of the New Role
We anticipate that this new role will make a significant, positive difference to our volunteer mediators and our organisation as a whole. The expected benefits include:
- Volunteer Mediators: Our 50 volunteer mediators (along with new recruits) will benefit from improved wellbeing and access to dedicated support, allowing them to continue providing top-quality service to those in need.
- New Staff Member: The individual taking on this exciting new role will gain valuable experience in a dynamic and impactful position, contributing to the overall success of our mission.
- Existing Staff Members: Five of our current staff members will experience reduced pressure, as the new facilitator takes on the responsibility of supporting the volunteers, thereby improving their own wellbeing and reducing stress levels.
- Community Members: Those receiving our mediation services will benefit from the increased focus and dedication of our volunteer mediators, ensuring they receive the best possible support during these challenging times.
- Organisation: By retaining more of our volunteer mediators, we will be better positioned to extend our support to even more community members in need.
Fostering Stronger Relationships and Wellbeing
The primary focus of the Volunteer Wellbeing Facilitator will be on enhancing the wellbeing of our community of mediators. This will involve organising in-person and virtual meetings, allowing volunteers to learn from each other and build strong, supportive relationships. These strengthened relationships and improved wellbeing will empower our mediators to continue delivering the highest quality service to community members facing increased pressures due to the cost-of-living crisis.
By bringing people together and focusing on solutions, we believe this role will contribute to improving the places and spaces that matter most to our community. Ultimately, it will help our new staff member, volunteer mediators, and the community members they serve to reach their full potential, with support provided at the earliest possible stage.
We are immensely grateful to the National Lottery Community Fund for making this possible and look forward to the positive impact this role will have on our community.