Volunteering with hoot is a great way to build skills which can be useful in all sorts of different aspects of life.
Ben joined hoot in 2019 as a participant and quickly moved from taking part to a Group Support Volunteer Role.
“I joined hoot because I wanted to explore arts and wellbeing in Kirklees, as well as share some of my pre-existing experience as a musician.
When you’re in the session and writing, singing, or playing, it’s incredibly rewarding to hear everyone’s ideas. There’s such a strong sense of community, and it can be really moving hearing other people’s ideas develop and take shape.
Since I left hoot, I started volunteering at an animal rescue in my spare time, as well as working freelance creating music library content.
Personally, I find volunteering really important for my mental wellbeing. The confidence I found at hoot has only grown, which has helped me as a musician. The skills and empathy I developed through group participation and collaboration have been important foundations to draw upon when working professionally, especially in songwriting sessions.
hoot helped develop my confidence, listening skills, and empathy towards others. It also helped me understand workshop dynamics and how to support group participation in an inclusive way, including safeguarding and being mindful of others' wellbeing.
I’ll always look back fondly on my time with hoot. hoot do such incredible work, and volunteering there really instilled a deep passion in me for advocacy and charity work."
If you are interested in volunteering in our creative activities to build your skills and experience please complete the form on our website to hear about opportunities as they become available: https://www.hootcreativearts.co.uk/support-hoot
