Unfolding: FREE training course for volunteers and carers in Leeds.
Unfolding is a free six-week course run at your premises (or online) that brings your beneficiaries effective tools to look at their own wellbeing and empower others to improve theirs.
“The way I think about things has changed. Before the course, I didn’t think about myself first. I didn’t use to think about my health before the course, but now I do – both my mental and physical health.”
How can we help people to go from exhausted to energised when volunteering?
By training participants in self-care, boundary-setting and most of all conversation skills that bring change. Volunteers will learn how not to take on too much whilst ensuring that the people they support feel heard and clear on their next steps.
The training is for (formal and informal) volunteers and carers.
Participants can be volunteers or community members that play an active role in their community by volunteering, helping out at school, food banks, supporting family members etc. The course will benefit anyone who is struggling with their wellbeing journey, as they learn to support others and themselves.
Caring for others can be wonderfully rewarding, but if we don’t have clear boundaries and a way of prioritising our own wellbeing, it can lead to exhaustion, burnout or vicarious trauma.
Unfolding will:
Increase the confidence, motivation and mental wellbeing of carers and community leaders
Improve volunteer retention as volunteers learn to support others without burning out
Build staff skills to support others and themselves – staff can participate or co-facilitate
Provide free consultancy to embed wellbeing tools into your organisation
Give you an impact report, SWEMWBS (wellbeing scale) readings and photos (if permission given) that you can use for your own evaluations
Watch this short video about Unfolding.
What to expect:
A six-week course online or in person, 2h per week, dates to be agreed
Led by experienced facilitators
Sessions follow an informal and participatory format where participants are invited to find their strengths and make changes that will improve their wellbeing.
Courses include fee workbooks
All free of charge for Leeds-based organisations
What we need from you:
A suitable venue (room hire expenses are available)
Support 8 – 12 people to enrol on the course
One staff member to attend at least the first session (but they’re encouraged to attend all sessions).
Be available to discuss the progress of the participants and deal with any potential safeguarding concerns
Give a little feedback on how you think the participants have benefited