About the Project

Are you passionate about people, nature, and making a difference?

Join our team as a Volunteer Support Worker and help deliver Mind, Body, Planet – a 3-year National Lottery-funded project that connects people with the outdoors, creativity, and wellbeing.

You’ll work alongside our friendly Skills for People Project Workers to support inclusive, engaging group activities that promote connection, confidence, and community.

🌱 Why Volunteer With Us?

• Make a real difference in people’s lives
• Share your interests and skills in a supportive environment
• Gain experience in community work, nature-based activities, and inclusive support
• Receive full training and ongoing guidance
• Travel expenses reimbursed

🕒 Time Commitment

We encourage a minimum commitment of 1 group session per week (approx. 1–2 hours), but we’re flexible and happy to work around your availability.

🌿 Volunteer Opportunities

Save the Planet (Wednesdays, 10:30am–12:45pm)

📍 Byker Community Allotment (near Ouseburn Farm)

A hands-on gardening and environmental group led by a forest school-trained practitioner. Members learn outdoor skills, cook over a fire, and connect with nature.

Volunteer tasks:

• Support gardening activities (weeding, planting, watering)
• Encourage social interaction and inclusion
• Help prepare simple outdoor meals

Upcoming activities:

• Nature poetry + toast & jam
• Weaving a tsikuri + veggie skewers
• Decorative twig balls + potato wedges
• Giant bubble wands + apple crumble
• Garden mural design + toasted teacakes

Being Well Walk (Tuesdays, 10:30am–12:30pm)

📍 Various locations around Newcastle

A gentle, social walk that promotes wellbeing and connection.

Volunteer tasks:

• Walk alongside members and encourage conversation
• Help ensure everyone feels included and supported

Recent walk locations:

• Iris Brickfield Park
• Newcastle Quayside to St Peter’s Basin
• Exhibition Park
• Denton Dene to Lemington

Wednesday Social Walk (Wednesdays, 2:30pm–3:45pm)

📍 Various Newcastle locations

A relaxed afternoon walk with a focus on social connection.

Volunteer tasks:

• Support group members during the walk
• Encourage inclusive conversations

Recent walk locations:

• Leazes Park
• Heaton Park
• Saltwell Park
• St Peter’s Basin

Mix it Up: Shared Interest & Social Group (Tuesdays, alternating times)

🕑 Afternoon (2:30–4:30pm) or Evening (4:30–6:30pm)
📍 Various venues around Newcastle

A fun, flexible group based on shared interests – from café trips to bowling, museums, and games nights.

Volunteer tasks:

• Join in and support social engagement
• Help members feel included and confident
• Assist with planning and feedback

Past activities include:

• Café and restaurant visits (Pizza Punks is a favourite!)
• Bowling and pool at Hustlers
• Cinema, theatre, and music nights
• Games nights and film screenings

Singing Group (Mondays, 5:00pm–6:30pm)

📍 Skills for People, Byker

A friendly group for anyone who enjoys singing or simply loves listening to singing and music. Sessions are led by our singing tutor, Dean. We gather at 5:00pm for a cuppa and a chat, with singing starting at 5:30pm.

Volunteer tasks:

• Join in and support social engagement
• Help members feel included and confident
• Assist with planning and feedback

🧩 Volunteer Role Description

As a Volunteer Support Worker, you will:

• Work under the guidance of a Project Worker
• Support group members to participate and engage socially
• Promote the 5 Ways to Wellbeing
• Share accessible information about services and opportunities
• Help gather feedback from members
• Draw on your own interests and strengths to enrich the group

You won’t be expected to do everything – your role will be shaped around your interests and the group’s needs.

🎓 Training & Support

We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds. No specific qualifications are required – just a friendly, sociable attitude and a willingness to get involved.

Preferred (but not essential):

• Experience supporting people with learning disabilities and/or autism

We provide:

• Full training (in-person and online)
• Support accessing online sessions
• Ongoing guidance from our Volunteer Co-ordinator

🚍 Travel & Accessibility

Group locations vary each week, but all are accessible by public transport. Travel costs will be reimbursed.

📞Interested? Get in Touch

Contact Jane Eaglesham for more information:
📧 jane.eaglesham@skillsforpeople.org.uk
📞 0191 281 8737