Volunteering Archives

Rebecca’s Story: “Volunteering got me back into a place of living, rather than existing”

2 June 2025

A trio of images: Rebecca overlooking a bridge, Rebecca smiling at the camera, and a landscape of Bristol

The first week of June marks Volunteers’ Week, a time to celebrate the compassion, dedication and vital contributions of our…

“Just go for it. If you’re able to volunteer, it’s massively enriching to do so”

3 June 2024

When Charlie started mental health volunteering, his goal was to help people and make a difference. What he didn’t realise was how much volunteering would make a difference to his life too.

“I’m here to listen”: Our volunteers’ crucial role in clients’ mental health recovery

1 June 2023

two male friends sitting with takeaway coffee cups outside a cafe and laughing together

Ben shares his experience volunteering with Second Step, how he supports our clients with their mental health recovery, and why he recommends volunteering with Second Step to anyone thinking about giving some of their time to make a real difference in people’s lives. 

Katie’s journey

16 August 2022

Katie tells her story of volunteering at a local radio station.

My Second Step Journey

3 June 2022

For Volunteers’ Week 2022, Support Worker Charlie shares his Second Step journey and how his volunteering experience helped him achieve his goal of working in mental health support.

Mental health volunteering at the Crisis Safe Spaces in Somerset

2 June 2022

interested in supporting people who are in mental health crisis? Lydia shares what it’s like to volunteer with us.

Sharing mental health volunteering stories for Volunteers’ Week 2022

31 May 2022

For Volunteers’ Week 2022, we want to recognise the amazing work our volunteers do for our clients. Their generosity and compassion help us to deliver the best possible support to people struggling with their mental health

A story of hope for January

24 January 2022

We want to reframe this ‘new year new me!’ thought process. So, we’re sharing two stories – one from a Next Steps colleague and one from a member of our STAR Communications Team – about finding hope for the future, even when facing severe mental health problems.