Volunteers’ Week – 2nd to 8th June
At Hope After Harm, we believe in second chances, fresh starts, and the power of community. Volunteers are at the heart of empowering people as they recover, rebuild, and reclaim their lives.
This Volunteers’ Week, we’re celebrating those who already give their time, expertise and experiences as well as inviting new people to join our volunteers supporting survivors and young people affected by crime.
Whether you have lived experience, want to build new skills, or just want to make a difference – volunteering with us can be transformative.
Building on our values of:
Empowerment, Compassion, Inclusion, Respect and Resilience
Volunteers help ensure that no one is left without support when they need it most.
Why Volunteer?
Volunteering with Hope After Harm isn’t just about giving—it’s about gaining.
You could:
Make a real difference in someone’s life
Build confidence and emotional resilience
Access training, peer support, and new skills
Become part of a community that values empathy, honesty and hope
Help shape a more compassionate, inclusive future
We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds—including people from racially and culturally minoritised communities, LGBTQ+ communities, people with disabilities, and people with lived experience of trauma, justice involvement or marginalisation. Your perspective matters here.
New Leaf Mentoring: Walking Beside Someone Starting Again
The New Leaf programme supports young people who are rebuilding their lives after experiences with the criminal justice system. As a volunteer mentor, you’ll work alongside someone during one of the most important—and challenging—chapters of their life.
This involves:
- Training and supervision
- Weekly check-ins
- Offering encouragement, stability and accountability
- Simply being someone who listens without judgement
You don’t need to have been in the system to understand the need for compassion—but if you have, your insight is powerful. Many of our most impactful mentors have walked a similar path and now use that experience to help others stay on track and believe in their future.
Training, ongoing support, and a team that’s with you every step of the way, it’s a chance to change lives—one relationship at a time.
Supporting Survivors: Volunteering with Sexual Violence Services
Our sexual violence services offer vital support to survivors of rape, sexual abuse and assault—many of whom are navigating trauma, fear, and shame alone. Volunteers help us provide safe spaces, emotional support, and practical guidance for people at different stages of their healing journey.
Roles include:
- Providing one-to-one emotional support (after training)
- Supporting group work or wellbeing activities
- Helping with awareness events or prevention work
If you have personal experience of surviving sexual violence, you are not alone—and if you feel ready to support others, we’d be honoured to have your experience supporting fellow survivors.
We offer full training, regular supervision, and a trauma-informed, person-centred approach to all volunteering roles. Your wellbeing matters just as much as the people you’re helping.
Your Experience Matters – Whoever You Are
At Hope After Harm, we know the best support comes from a variety of voices. That’s why we actively welcome volunteers who reflect the communities we serve.
- Whether you’re from an ethnically diverse background or from a culturally minoritised group
- Whether you’re LGBTQ+
- Whether you’ve lived through trauma, addiction, or abuse; you belong here.
Your story may be exactly what someone else needs to hear to believe in themselves again.
Ready to Join Us?
Find out more at https://hopeafterharm.org.uk/get-involved/volunteering/ email Shelagh.Leonard@hopeafterharm.org.uk or call 01844 202001
If you’re thinking about volunteering but feel unsure, we’re here to talk it through with you.
To Our Volunteers: Thank You
To everyone who already volunteers with Hope After Harm: thank you, you are empowering people to better lives every day.
