Headway Bristol offers a range of volunteering opportunities. On this page you can learn more about the Activity Support Volunteer role, what our volunteers say about us and how to get involved.
What does the role include?
As a volunteer in our Reablement & Wellbeing Centres, you will provide support in a team to help run various outings and activities. This may range from health walks and gardening in our allotment, to cooking, music and arts and crafts therapies. If you have a skill or talent you’d like to share, then we’ll encourage you to run your very own programme if you wish!
We’ve noticed that volunteers who stay with us for longer periods get more out of the experience (and the continuity is beneficial for our Service Users too). Given this, we’re asking new volunteers to be willing to make a 12-month commitment to Headway. Feel free to be in touch to ask us more about this.
What our volunteers say about us
Watch Stan’s story
Vicky
“Patience and listening are the most important keys to volunteering …
I started volunteering for Headway back in October 2024. I have found it all very rewarding and enjoy being of help to all of them in some way and to the staff, I hope!
It has given me confidence and a better understanding of many questions I had when I looked after my husband for several years with his head injury. All the pieces fitted together which I think has given me a chance to help others.
In my experience I must stress that patience and listening are the most important keys to volunteering. Also to step back and try to see situations from the service users’ eyes.
Heather
“I felt really privileged to volunteer for Headway …
I gained some extremely valuable insight into the amazing job that Support Workers and other team members do to help service users and their families.
I really enjoyed working alongside staff members to bring my own skills and ideas to Headway, such as incorporating discussions about healthy eating and positive mental health into our weekly activities. The most rewarding part of my volunteering experience was forging great relationships with the service users. I loved meeting so many different and amazing people, who made me feel very welcome at Headway.
I feel more confident in my abilities to communicate and listen within professional settings, and feel that I have gained patience, problem-solving and creativity skills throughout my time at Headway that I can apply to future career endeavours. I would thoroughly recommend a voluntary placement there!
Izzy
“Volunteering at Headway has been a truly rewarding experience …
It not only offers the opportunity for personal growth, but also the chance to develop valuable skills, such as communication, empathy and patience, which can be transferred to any future career. As a volunteer, you have the privilege of making a meaningful difference in people’s lives and giving back to the community.
Headway itself is a really special charity to be a part of, that fosters a supportive community for individuals affected by brain injuries, where they can work on their cognitive and social rehabilitation in an enjoyable and welcoming environment! It is really rewarding to see the service users enjoy their time and build friendships at Headway, I feel very lucky to be a part of their experience!
How to get involved
To find out more and apply, contact us at [email protected].