Bradfordian

Shahnaz writes about the massive difference that just a small amount of volunteering can make. I became a volunteer with Mind in Bradford because I was interested in the mental health aspect of wellbeing.  My first personal contact with Mind in Bradford was when I arrived for my interview. During this process it was clear that […]

The post Volunteers’ Week Blog 7: Shahnaz first appeared on Mind in Bradford.

Paul writes about volunteering as a befriender has helped to alleviate his own feelings of loneliness, as well as that of his befriendees. It was following a long spell of therapy that I made the decision to get involved with a mental health charity, when the time was right, a time when I could dedicate […]

The post Volunteers’ Week Blog 6: Paul first appeared on Mind in Bradford.

Olivia writes about the difference she can see in her befriendee after supporting her each week. My volunteering journey began when I sadly lost a friend to a long battle with mental health; she was always trying to give her time to others so I wanted to try my best to do that in her […]

The post Volunteers’ Week Blog 5: Olivia first appeared on Mind in Bradford.

Fundraiser Ben Rickaby, who is taking on six ultra-distance cycling challenges in four months, writes about his incredible experiences taking on the Dales Divide 600km cycling challenge. The first of my challenges to raise awareness and funds for Mind in Bradford began for real early on Saturday 1 May, although preparation and anticipation had been […]

The post Fundraiser Ben writes about his incredible experiences taking on the Dales Divide first appeared on Mind in Bradford.

Jas writes about her approach to befriending and how she uses her listening skills to make a real difference. I have been a telephone befriender for just over a year. I joined just after the pandemic started and I soon realised it was really making a difference. Naturally this year has been more difficult than […]

The post Volunteers’ Week Blog 4: Jas first appeared on Mind in Bradford.

Jayne writes about her experiences befriending and how valuable it is to both her and her befriendee. My own self confidence boosted knowing I have helped a person, from befriending them on the telephone. A thank you from that person is such a great reward for me and means a lot.  I also feel I […]

The post Volunteers’ Week Blog 3: Jayne first appeared on Mind in Bradford.

Aisling writes about how volunteering benefits her clients and builds her own confidence. I began volunteering at Mind in Bradford in January 2021 as a telephone befriender. I feel that offering support in the form of listening, encouraging and showing empathy to my clients on a weekly basis over the phone has a positive effect […]

The post Volunteers’ Week Blog 2: Aisling first appeared on Mind in Bradford.

Marie writes about the sense of achievement that volunteering as a befriender gives her. I currently volunteer for Mind in Bradford in a befriender role.   Over the last year I began noticing how isolation was affecting people, with limited social experiences and interactions and the reduction of face-to-face support, especially within mental health. This made […]

The post Volunteers’ Week Blog 1: Marie first appeared on Mind in Bradford.