PAPYRUS is dedicated to raising awareness around young suicide and preventing tragic losses of young lives. Our mission is fuelled by the tireless efforts of our passionate and committed volunteers. Without their unwavering support, the work we do to reach out to different communities and engage with people wouldn’t be possible. In this blog, we have outlined the essence of volunteering with PAPYRUS, the various activities involved, and why it plays a crucial role in building suicide-safer communities across the UK.
What is volunteering?
Our volunteers are the backbone of our organisation. They play a vital role in helping us connect with diverse communities, engage in conversations about suicide prevention, and break down the stigma surrounding suicide. Through their dedication, we can work towards creating a society where open conversations about suicide are fostered, and young lives are saved.
We recognise that each person brings their own unique skills and strengths to the table. That’s why volunteering opportunities with us are diverse, catering to a wide range of interests and talents. Some of the activities you can get involved in include:
- Community outreach: Engaging with different communities is essential in spreading awareness and eradicating the stigma surrounding suicide. As a volunteer, you can participate in events and campaigns that promote open conversations about mental health.
- Deliver training: Our volunteer Champions help us raise awareness of suicide prevention by delivering short talks, known as SP-ARK (Suicide Prevention – Awareness, Resource, Knowledge) sessions in their communities. Champions help at PRIDE, mental health marketplaces, and occasionally at conferences.
- Fundraising: Volunteering your time and skills in fundraising initiatives can help generate the resources needed to sustain and expand our outreach programs, ultimately saving more lives.
- Awareness campaigns: Contributing to awareness campaigns on social media, distributing informational materials, organising events or even wearing a PAPYRUS t-shirt in public can play a significant role in spreading our message to a broader audience. There will also be plenty of opportunities for you to share your story on our website, participate in videos for our social media platforms and even take part in press activity – only if you wish too!
Why volunteer for PAPYRUS?
Volunteering with PAPYRUS offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of young people struggling with thoughts of suicide. By joining our efforts, you become part of a compassionate community determined to provide support and hope to those in need. Your actions can have a profound impact, offering a lifeline to those who may feel isolated and overwhelmed.
PAPYRUS firmly believes that young suicide is preventable. By building suicide-safer communities across the UK, we can create a support network that identifies and responds to young individuals at risk. This collective effort involves equipping people with the necessary tools and skills to address mental health challenges, promoting empathy and understanding, and eradicating the barriers to seeking help.
Volunteering with PAPYRUS is an opportunity to be part of something truly life-saving. By dedicating your time, experience, passion and energy, you can contribute to a cause that strives to save young lives and create a society where conversations about suicide are open, supportive, and stigma-free. Our volunteers are the heart of our charity, and together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of young people across the UK. Join us in our mission to prevent young suicide and offer hope to those who need it the most. Together, we can make a difference.
How to become a volunteer?
Now you have learned more about what volunteering at PAPYRUS entails and the opportunities available, you can formally express an interest to become a volunteer. To start the process, head to our Volunteer for PAPYRUS page and select your region on the map. This will then take you to our Volunteer Hub and you will be asked to complete some questions. Following this, you will be invited to meet with a member of the PAPYRUS team to further discuss the opportunities available and which form of volunteering best suits you.
Once a volunteer opportunity has been agreed, you will complete a number of training sessions, and with some opportunities it may be necessary for us to collect references and obtain a DBS check.
Currently, our volunteering roles have a minimum age of 18. Those who are under 18 are still able to support PAPYRUS through fundraising and awareness raising.
For more information about our volunteering opportunities, please email volunteer@papyrus-uk.org or visit here to access our Volunteer Hubs. Information Pack.
