Celebrating Volunteers Week 2025 at Together
For volunteers week 2025 we would like to say a heartfelt thank you to all of our amazing volunteers. We have a number of different volunteer roles across Together, all of which are contributing to the support we provide to people using our services even if they are not directly working alongside those people.
For the week we asked our services around the country to share feedback from our volunteers on what their roles mean to them and also comments from people that use our services on the difference volunteers have made for them.
Merton Peer Support Service – Reflections from Volunteers
We spoke to three volunteers at our Merton Peer Support Service which provides peer support offering emotional support and promotes access to information and practical advice for people experiencing mental health difficulties.
ASMITA
What made you want to volunteer for Together?
I was drawn to volunteering with Together because I’ve personally experienced the challenges of mental health and know how isolating it can feel. I wanted to use my journey to support others, help reduce stigma, and show people they’re not alone. Being part of an organisation that values lived experience really resonated with me.
What Volunteering role do you hold within Together?
I volunteer as a Peer Support Volunteer, which involves offering both group and one-on-one emotional support, listening without judgment, and sharing relevant parts of my own experience to help others feel seen and understood. It’s about building trust, empowering people, and walking alongside them in their recovery.
What have you enjoyed mostly about volunteering? Any challenges?
What I’ve enjoyed most is the human connection—seeing someone open up and feel heard is incredibly powerful. It’s rewarding to witness even small moments of progress. A challenge has been managing emotional boundaries, but the training and ongoing support from Together have helped me handle that more confidently.
What advice would you give to anyone interested in volunteering or keen to explore it?
Go for it, it’s one of the most fulfilling things you can do. You don’t need to have a perfect story or all the answers; just being present and empathetic can make a huge impact. It’s also a great way to build confidence, develop new skills, and feel part of a supportive community.
JERMAINE
What made you want to volunteer?
I was interested in a Peer Support role initially not long after I received a mental health diagnosis in 2015 but was unsuccessful. Last year I was told by a fellow Gym user at Springfield I’d be a good Peer Supporter and that reignited my curiosity to try my hand again at applying. Together provided training; where I met other great Peer Supporters as well as helpful tutors. Also Sylvia (Service Manager) saw the potential within me from the interview and I felt recognised as she let me know what I want longer term is possible with Together.
What have you enjoyed mostly about volunteering? Any challenges?
What I’ve enjoyed most about volunteering is the Walk & Talk sessions I’ve been a part of. Getting out – whether in the city or around nature – has helped calm my mind and I’ve also met & socialised on a regular basis with people I wouldn’t usually be connected with. It’s helped keep my mind open. As much as it helps the people who use the service, it has also helped with my own mental health a lot since I’ve started. Also, the general supportive atmosphere we’ve created within the group helps, thanks to the great training we received and we’re all trying to be decent human beings with empathy.
Some of the challenges range from bad weather to people who use the service or myself having a bad day or dealing with issues separate from the group. In those situations we still try to make time to attend & be professional as it is a responsibility but also a huge benefit as I said earlier.
What advice would you give to anyone interested in volunteering or keen to explore it?
My advice to anyone curious about volunteering is to try it.
I was hesitant at first to try volunteering but by taking that step, I’ve learned more about myself and how I deal with certain situations. Also, how & where I can improve. Worst case you realise it’s not for you, but at least you’ve tried. On the other hand you may have found a new career path. With any change in career, we usually have to start from the ground up & build a foundation of first hand experience, knowledge & insight that no amount of theory can prepare you for.
TIANYU
Reflections from a volunteer
I wanted to volunteer with Together to gain some experience with peer support and interaction. I am a trainee counsellor at the moment, and I wanted to get out there and see what its like. The volunteering role that I hold at Together is peer support. What I have enjoyed most about volunteering is meeting people from all walks of life, and realising that people are all pretty similar, we just want to be happy and healthy. Advice that I would give to anyone interested in volunteering is to be open minded, show empathy and do not judge anyone. I have really enjoyed my experience as a volunteer with Together so far, it has exceeded my expectations and I look forward to continuing with it.
Northamptonshire Floating Support Service – Feedback from a volunteer
The Northamptonshire Floating Support Service aims to improve health and wellbeing; enable greater independence, resilience and social inclusion; and help the person to remain well in the community so that they do not require secondary mental health services.
Feedback from volunteer John
I have been volunteering for Bromford and then Together at the Tea and Talk for 12 years. I enjoy it because I meet a variety of people and hope that I am useful in providing a listening ear for people and helping to provide a regular meeting place for them.
Together Criminal Justice Services
Also celebrating volunteers week within Together’s Criminal Justice Services with contributions from volunteers Liv, Patricia, Christopher, Dwayne and Stella.
From the service’s newest Peer Supporter Stella:
Being a peer supporter has enabled me to witness the lived experiences and stories of those that are vulnerable and want to have their voice heard. I feel honoured to be able to have access to such an intimate part of someone's life and also hear how talking benefits them.
Feedback from people who use the service on the support they received from Peer Support Volunteers
When she first called me, I was very fragile, suffering from an emotional dependency that had dragged on for years of abuse and indignity. With her voice and powerful words, I was able to feel welcomed and I was able to remember my value as a human being.
The Peer Supporter has supported me consistently during my dark days, I could talk to her about anything and she would understand and not judge me. She has been absolutely amazing since day 1 until now.
It's been tough, and I have struggled at times with regards to my past and present. But the Peer Supporter has been great, very understanding, open, honest and I look forward to the calls every week.
I just wanted to say Thank You, for not leaving me to deal with these horrible demons in my head alone. Can't thank you enough for caring and the Peer Supporter is definitely a lifesaver.
