Volunteer

Your time is a valuable commodity and can be used in so many ways. Just a few hours a week can make a big difference and helps our funds stretch so much further.

URGENT: DONATE, FUNDRAISE OR VOLUNTEER. YOU CAN HELP. HAVE YOU GOT A FEW HOURS TO SPARE, AND DO YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE IN BID WRITING? IF THE ANSWER IS YES – PLEASE CONTACT ANTONIA OR ANNA ON 01227 767660 OR EMAIL ENQUIRIES@CANTERBURYUMBRELLA.ORG.

If you have a skill to share or would like to help us either in our kitchen, participating in activities, organising trips or running creative workshops, giving information or, indeed, other activities that would benefit our members, our Centre Manager would love to hear from you. She will be happy to have an informal chat to see how we can use your skills and experience.

The amount of time you give us is up to you. Most people give a few hours a week.

We welcome young people or students on work placement who would like to put their spare time to good use.

Maybe you feel it is time to give something back to the community where you grew up; maybe you need work experience because you are hoping to go back to work – or maybe you just like helping others and would enjoy expanding and sharing your experience.

We would be delighted to welcome you as a volunteer. There is no age limit.

Many people find that by helping at Canterbury Umbrella, they gain great personal benefit. Read what one of our fantastic volunteers says:

“I have struggled with my personal mental health for the past few years after suppressed childhood trauma finally being addressed and no longer ignored. Since coming to university, it has been easier to cope due to being away from my main triggers which are all at home but there was still something missing that I couldn’t put my finger on.

I resulted in speaking to the doctors and decided to be put on medication; with the support of my boyfriend and his family throughout lockdown it hasn’t been too much of a challenge but without University work to keep me busy I was beginning to struggle again. Without a reason to get up out of bed every day, I struggled to feel the effectiveness of the medication.

Since being a volunteer at the centre I have found a sense of purpose to be awake and supporting like-minded people provides me with the boost I needed in life because I felt like I wasn’t achieving anything by sitting at home being bored when there are people in the world I could be helping.”

If you would like to consider becoming a volunteer just complete this attached form.

Volunteer Application form

Become a Trustee

We are always looking for people to join our board of trustees and those with personal experience of mental health issues or those who are familiar with the issues involved are particularly welcome. The trustees have oversight of the management of the charity and their decisions must put the needs of our members first and they must look after all the assets of the charity. They should be able to work well on their own but also as part of a team. Trustees are appointed on a voluntary basis and are offered support and training.

For further information on becoming a trustee at Canterbury Umbrella, please contact the centre on: 01227 767660 and we can arrange a meeting. For more information about what being a Trustee entails, just click on the link below.

Becoming a trustee