The Wren Project

Listening Volunteer Role with the Wren Project

• Offering remote support either online or over the phone.
• Hours - 3 hour fortnightly voluntary commitment, flexible
  across the working week (shifts are available mornings,
  afternoons and evenings, Monday - Friday).

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, empathyand 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, building 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.

Application and training process:
● Send an application form via our website;
● Attend a group discovery conversation where you will find out more about us and we will find out about you
● We assess an applicant’s suitability for the role;
● If successful, applicants participate in a remote, 4-week training programme focusing on listening skills, courageous inquiry, turning towards difficulty and living with autoimmune disease;
● A final one-to-one assessment of readiness before being matched with a Wren.

More on the role:
● 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.
● 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.

What we are looking for in volunteers:
● A desire to support people in times of distress;
● An empathetic and understanding attitude;
● A commitment to offering ongoing support to Wrens and to reflect upon the
experience;
● A quiet and private space to conduct appointments;
● Access to a computer, telephone and a reliable internet connection;
● Confidentiality, professionalism and reliability;
● The commitment to volunteer at the Wren Project for at least one year.

What we can offer volunteers:

● Lifelong skills in deep listening;
● Extensive training in empathetic listening and supporting distress;
● An excellent opportunity to engage in ongoing personal reflection and development in
a supportive charity environment;
● A self-reflective approach to learning and development;
● An insight into life with autoimmune disease.