On the whole, volunteering often has a positive effect on well-being and can give you a strong sense of purpose, drive and direction.
However, the transition back to normal life can be challenging, and many of us experience difficulties in re-adjusting. Having volunteered in this context may bring about feelings of guilt, anxiety, exhaustion, or a sense of separation from friends and family that do not share our experiences. It is important to keep reflecting about how you are doing and not bottle up difficult emotions that you might experience.
Here are some links to a directory of online resources, people to talk to if you are struggling and links if you want to continue volunteering in the UK.
+ Volunteering from home
Volunteering can be fulfilling and you can continue volunteering in the area you live in. For more information about how you can continue to support RCK's work in Calais from the UK - visit our Fundraising page.
If you’re in the UK, you can find out more about volunteering in the UK, and where to find other volunteering opportunities, at the following sites:
I want to volunteer (NCVO)
Volunteer (GOV.UK)
Volunteering (Prospects)
How to volunteer (NHS)
+ Online resources
Help Guide - Trusted Guide to Mental and Emotional Health - clear information and tips on recognising and dealing with all kinds of topics including anxiety, insomnia, stress, trauma, PTSD and grief.
Headington Institute - Promoting the wellbeing of Humanitarian staff - articles, guides and online training guides on burnout, trauma, resilience and gender.
MoodJuice - Solving Emotional Problems - worksheets, hotlines, articles and advice on a variety of emotional and psychological problems.
MoodGym - online self-help for depression and anxiety. An interactive self-help book which helps you to learn and practise skills which can help to prevent and manage symptoms of depression and anxiety.
MindTools - Stress Management Strategies - different practical strategies for dealing with stress as well as other interesting categories on the rest of the website.
UNHCR - Coping with Stress
+ Support from the NHS
The NHS provide support for all mental health concerns for people living in the UK. Whilst there can be a wait, it is an amazing resource that comes free of charge.
Information about mental health
A Guide to Mental Health Services and How to Access
Finding the right therapist for you
+ People to talk to
Solidarity and Support Network
A voluntary group of listening professionals who offer a remote support service over phone, skype or whatsapp. You can email them to get in touch if you would like to speak to someone or visit their webpage to find out more. They will work with you to organise a schedule depending on how often you would like to talk.
A voluntary group of psychotherapists who have regularly visited Calais to support volunteers and refugees. They are also available to speak to people once they have returned home, offering a safe space to decompress. Contact them through their facebook page.
A group of qualified psychotherapists and counsellors offer free face to face counselling or skype sessions to volunteers returning from working with refugees. Languages include English, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, German, French, Danish, Spanish and Lithuanian. The face to face sessions are based in the UK and some therapists offer Skype counselling for those living elsewhere in Europe.
By phone, email or face to face, the Samaritans offer a friendly impartial ear and all their volunteers are trained.
Volunteering is the heart of this operation. Thank you so much for coming.
We hope to see back you in the kitchen soon!!