Volunteer Cohort 6 welcomes largest number of volunteers since 2019
Glasgow, February 20 2023
National Support Network CIC (‘NSN’), a social enterprise whose directory of services helps organisations to connect customers and colleagues to trusted support services, this week launched Cohort 6 of their popular volunteering programme welcoming 68 volunteers – the highest number of volunteers since the initiative began.
Since 2019, hundreds of volunteers have taken part in these popular volunteering programmes. NSN Co-Founder and CEO Cat Divers said: “The amount of work that has gone into developing and maintaining this directory of support services over the years is immense. I am in awe of the innovation our volunteers have brought to our business, and incredibly grateful and appreciative to be sharing this journey with so many inspiring people.”
Over the years, the volunteering programme, like the directory itself, has been co-created with the community. The programmes now deliver structured training, work experience and a supportive community to improve volunteer wellbeing and employability skills.
Each volunteer in this Cohort will offer two hours of assistance each week across a four-month programme. Each volunteer joins their team in one of three hubs – product, marketing or operations – bringing valuable skills, diverse views and perspectives and fresh ideas.
Existing volunteer, Matthew Nolan, aged 27 from Hebden Bridge says “I’m passionate because it feels like I’m a part of something *real* – it’s a nice change of pace for a somewhat cynical mind!! There’s no ulterior motive or ego, just a genuine drive to make a positive difference.
For me, I’ve really enjoyed learning new skills from such talented people and seeing different approaches to common problems. I’ve stayed on because everyone is in this together, and I gain twice what I put in. I have a real belief about the future of the initiative and I’m excited to be a part of it!”
New volunteer, Agueda Urdanibia Fernández, aged 51 from Bishop’s Stortford says “I’m passionate about being part of this initiative as I enjoy helping other people as much as possible. I’m looking forward to using my own personal experience to help make things easier for people struggling to find help. I’m excited that this project will continue to grow and reach out to more and more people.”
One of the new teams in this Cohort is the Topic Specialist team. These Specialist Topic Consultants will work closely with Cat and the Product Hub volunteers to review the existing catalogue and assist with other priority improvements. Expected improvements include an improved search function that predicts the words someone may search when explaining their problem.
Cat says “In 2020 we consulted with Subject Matter Experts to create a catalogue of common problems. We documented over 1,000 problems spanning topics like health, housing, money, relationships, family, crime, work, and pets. We’re close to reaching the monumental milestone of holding data on over 3,000 support services, meaning there’s no better time for us to review and refresh our Directory and continue our mission to support as many people as possible.”
More From Our Volunteer Community
Caprice, 23, London: I am extremely empathetic and feel strongly about people, rights and justice. I want people to be able to lead easier lives. I like using my experiences to provide people with more knowledge and support since I did not have the access.
I am really excited to be part of something that I will be able to look back and say that I took part in helping the organisation grow, that I volunteered my time despite being anxious about it initially.
Naima, 23, Bedford: Having gone through difficult times myself and seeing my family struggle with finding help made me want to put my foot in and be a part of something that can really help those in these tough situations find help quickly and efficiently. I’m excited to be a part of this programme so that I can see it grow into something truly magnificent.
Morgane, 22, London: I am excited to be a part of this initiative because it means that I can be involved in helping people who are struggling to find information and resources online by signposting them to trustworthy services that they can rely on.
Isabel, 26, London: I feel that this initiative makes a true difference to people’s lives, including having helped me in the past. I have seen the initiative grow and change a great deal while volunteering and I look forward to seeing how it develops further.
I am passionate about being part of the initiative because I have experienced a range of difficulties in my life. At these points I found it very challenging to get the right support. I have also been involved in supporting people who had little support offered to them and would have otherwise struggled to access it.
Daniel, 27, Wales: Having been in a similar situation recently to a lot of people searching for information, I want to help this initiative and reach more people. The story and journey of this initiative is very exciting and shows we are doing something right!
Adekunle, 34, Wolverhampton: I am passionate about the initiative because I have always loved to render assistance in my own little capacity. For example, at the heat of Covid-19, I grew fresh vegetables to help feed people in my community. This initiative offers an opportunity for me to continue to help others.
Nadine, 21, England: I was immediately drawn to volunteering with this initiative as I understand that it can be difficult to search for help when you feel overwhelmed or anxious about a certain problem. Having a comprehensive signposting service is a great way to tackle this! As a law student I am passionate about using my knowledge to help expand the legal support resources and alleviate the worries of anyone needing assistance.
Ethan, 30, West Midlands: I was looking for some volunteering work because my work allows me the time free to invest my effort in other areas. After working for a charity, I decided that the best work is helping others so when I saw the advert, I knew I had to apply.
As someone who has needed help and been constantly incapable of finding it, I believe that this initiative could have helped me personally. Cat’s energy excites me about the future of the initiative. I’m very intuitive and empathic and know when someone is fundamentally good, and Cat is a good person, her energy and drive are an inspiration.
Sylvia, 25, London: I’m passionate about being a part of this initiative because I believe everyone should be able to access the support and resources they need in a way that is easy and quick, and not overwhelming as all those pages of Google and other search engines. What excites me most about the future of this initiative is helping more people become aware of the services and getting the resources they need.
Ray, 25, Edinburgh: I was drawn to this role because I believe the initiative is superb and I would love to contribute to this team. I’m excited about the future of this initiative as it has the ability and potential to help so many people across UK.
Matthew, 27, Hebden Bridge: I’m passionate because it feels like I’m a part of something *real* – it’s a nice change of pace for a somewhat cynical mind!! There’s no ulterior motive or ego, just a genuine drive to make a positive difference.
For me, I’ve really enjoyed learning new skills from such talented people and seeing different approaches to common problems. I’ve stayed on because everyone is in this together, and I gain twice what I put in. I have a real belief about the future of the initiative and I’m excited to be a part of it!
Ololade, 29, Glasgow: Being part of this initiative is so fulfilling and inspiring – the thought of working with like-minded people, who only seek to make a positive impact in the community. Being a volunteer helps me contribute to a meaningful cause, and I believe that it is an opportunity for me to learn, network, and grow.
Adedolapo, 28, Kent: I am passionate and committed when it comes to helping people. One of my goals this year is to continue to give back to the community. Helping others find support is what this this project stands for and resonates with me. I also wanted to be part of the initiative to bring change to the community while also gaining new experiences and developing new skills.
Agueda, 51, Bishop’s Stortford: I’m passionate about being part of this initiative as I enjoy helping other people as much as possible. I’m looking forward to using my own personal experience to help make things easier for people struggling to find help. I’m excited that this project will continue to grow and reach out to more and more people.
Molly, 25, Hitchin: I am passionate about this initiative and excited to be involved in something that is going to impact people in a positive way! I am excited to see the project grow and help more people in need.
Annecha, 44, Hampshire: One of my passions is to help women confidently rebuild their lives after adverse life experiences. I was drawn to this initiative because I believe the experience would help me to become more knowledgeable about different services and resources that may be available to support and help reignite hope within this community.
Martyna, 25, Edinburgh: I’m passionate about trying something new as I enjoy learning. Also, I want to help create something meaningful that will help people facing barriers when looking for support. When I saw the role, it attracted me because I wanted to use my research skills and psychology knowledge in a project that has real life implications. I’m excited to see how the initiative develops and grows.
Jo, 51, London: I’m thrilled to be a part of Cohort 6 and looking forward to spreading the word of Cat and her team’s hard work and valuable resource.
Daniel, 39, Hull: The growth of the support network excites me the organisation has already made great progress in the last week and hopefully this will continue.
Jess, 26, Bristol: This is an amazing organisation with incredible potential to make a huge difference to many people’s lives and I am so excited to be a part and help it grow! I was drawn to this role because I was looking for a volunteering scheme where I could give back to a wider community. Expert, informed information on services across health and wellbeing topics such as mental health should be available to everyone.
Shannon, 24, Northern Ireland: This is a truly invaluable resource and being able to contribute to its growth and development in any way is a wonderful feeling. The passion and effort put forward by the founder and fellow volunteers is infectious, when working with them I am constantly left feeling energised and motivated to make a difference. Volunteering for an initiative with such an empathetic ethos is a fantastic feeling and I’m excited to see how many more people it will connect to help in the future.
Viola: There have been many occasions where I witnessed people close to me trying to reach out for professional help. But after putting so much energy in taking the step to get help they often withdrew after being overwhelmed with struggling to find the right resources or not finding support at all. Being a part of providing an easier access to resources that are quality checked is what makes me passionate about this role!
Deepthi, 33, Sheffield: The cause excites me, supporting people and helping them to identify their problem , providing the standard information.
Jake, 27, Oldham: I am greatly passionate about this initiative because I’ve seen it grow and develop in the years I’ve been volunteering. The founder’s, Cat, passion is infectious and she has a real will to help and support people which is relatable for myself. The most exciting thing is the growth, each Cohort the initiative just keeps growing and becoming more successful, which is exciting to think about!
I have stayed on for all the reasons mentioned above, I love the initiative and have a real passion for it. Cat is great to work with and all the volunteers I’ve worked with past, present and future make it a joy. It’s a satisfying feeling knowing I’m helping to make a difference to people in the UK.
Vayodya, 33, Middlesbrough: I was inspired by Cat’s leadership and management skills in Cohort 5. Therefore, I decided to stay on to Cohort 6 to improve my communication, management and language skills while engaging with the teams. I’m so excited to see how our teams are going to make a success and meet their objectives this Cohort. I wanted to invest my spare time in quality work that helps me to improve while giving some volunteering service to society, this experience ticks that box.
Issie, 23, Portsmouth: I am passionate about joining this initiative because I believe that it is a very valuable resource that should be promoted and shared as much as physically possible! This directory is an excellent tool that directly leads people in need to relevant resources and hotlines, making the task of finding help as quick and simple as it always should have been.
I was drawn to this role because I have experienced times of crisis where I have found it difficult to find relevant and beneficial resources that can actually assist me. I wanted to play a part in this initiative because it’s so easy to completely give up when struggling to find help. It is something that needs to change. And it is something that can be changed via this initiative!
Sikemi, London: I am passionate about being part of this initiative because it’s a rewarding way to give back to the wider community and I enjoy being part of something designed to help people. Initially, the research aspect is what drew me to the role. I enjoy taking a deeper look and determining how useful a resource can be.
Seeing how far we have come since the beginning has encouraged me to stay on and remain a part of what is a wonderful initiative. I think that it can be easy to get lost looking for help online, but we do a wonderful job of signposting people to the necessary resources. I am grateful to be a part of such a great community! Bimpe, 36, Aberdeen: I am passionate being part of the initiative because it will help me understand the circumstances of other members of the community and help me to be an effective and empathetic citizen. What drew me to the role is the fulfilling feeling of giving back to the community.
Linda, 31, Glasgow: I am passionate about being part of this initiative because it gives me an avenue to give back to the community using my digital skills. I love and admire the vision and mission of the initiative. There is nothing like having a straight to the point information when you need it the most. The value of updated, informative and verified content cannot be underestimated.
Over the years, the volunteering programme, like the directory itself, has been co-created with the community. The programmes now deliver structured training, work experience and a supportive community to improve volunteer wellbeing and employability skills.
Each volunteer in this Cohort will offer two hours of assistance each week across a four-month programme. Each volunteer joins their team in one of three hubs – product, marketing or operations – bringing valuable skills, diverse views and perspectives and fresh ideas.
Existing volunteer, Matthew Nolan, aged 27 from Hebden Bridge says “I’m passionate because it feels like I’m a part of something *real* – it’s a nice change of pace for a somewhat cynical mind!! There’s no ulterior motive or ego, just a genuine drive to make a positive difference.
For me, I’ve really enjoyed learning new skills from such talented people and seeing different approaches to common problems. I’ve stayed on because everyone is in this together, and I gain twice what I put in. I have a real belief about the future of the initiative and I’m excited to be a part of it!”
New volunteer, Agueda Urdanibia Fernández, aged 51 from Bishop’s Stortford says “I’m passionate about being part of this initiative as I enjoy helping other people as much as possible. I’m looking forward to using my own personal experience to help make things easier for people struggling to find help. I’m excited that this project will continue to grow and reach out to more and more people.”
One of the new teams in this Cohort is the Topic Specialist team. These Specialist Topic Consultants will work closely with Cat and the Product Hub volunteers to review the existing catalogue and assist with other priority improvements. Expected improvements include an improved search function that predicts the words someone may search when explaining their problem.
Cat says “In 2020 we consulted with Subject Matter Experts to create a catalogue of common problems. We documented over 1,000 problems spanning topics like health, housing, money, relationships, family, crime, work, and pets. We’re close to reaching the monumental milestone of holding data on over 3,000 support services, meaning there’s no better time for us to review and refresh our Directory and continue our mission to support as many people as possible.”
More From Our Volunteer Community
Caprice, 23, London: I am extremely empathetic and feel strongly about people, rights and justice. I want people to be able to lead easier lives. I like using my experiences to provide people with more knowledge and support since I did not have the access.
I am really excited to be part of something that I will be able to look back and say that I took part in helping the organisation grow, that I volunteered my time despite being anxious about it initially.
Naima, 23, Bedford: Having gone through difficult times myself and seeing my family struggle with finding help made me want to put my foot in and be a part of something that can really help those in these tough situations find help quickly and efficiently. I’m excited to be a part of this programme so that I can see it grow into something truly magnificent.
Morgane, 22, London: I am excited to be a part of this initiative because it means that I can be involved in helping people who are struggling to find information and resources online by signposting them to trustworthy services that they can rely on.
Isabel, 26, London: I feel that this initiative makes a true difference to people’s lives, including having helped me in the past. I have seen the initiative grow and change a great deal while volunteering and I look forward to seeing how it develops further.
I am passionate about being part of the initiative because I have experienced a range of difficulties in my life. At these points I found it very challenging to get the right support. I have also been involved in supporting people who had little support offered to them and would have otherwise struggled to access it.
Daniel, 27, Wales: Having been in a similar situation recently to a lot of people searching for information, I want to help this initiative and reach more people. The story and journey of this initiative is very exciting and shows we are doing something right!
Adekunle, 34, Wolverhampton: I am passionate about the initiative because I have always loved to render assistance in my own little capacity. For example, at the heat of Covid-19, I grew fresh vegetables to help feed people in my community. This initiative offers an opportunity for me to continue to help others.
Nadine, 21, England: I was immediately drawn to volunteering with this initiative as I understand that it can be difficult to search for help when you feel overwhelmed or anxious about a certain problem. Having a comprehensive signposting service is a great way to tackle this! As a law student I am passionate about using my knowledge to help expand the legal support resources and alleviate the worries of anyone needing assistance.
Ethan, 30, West Midlands: I was looking for some volunteering work because my work allows me the time free to invest my effort in other areas. After working for a charity, I decided that the best work is helping others so when I saw the advert, I knew I had to apply.
As someone who has needed help and been constantly incapable of finding it, I believe that this initiative could have helped me personally. Cat’s energy excites me about the future of the initiative. I’m very intuitive and empathic and know when someone is fundamentally good, and Cat is a good person, her energy and drive are an inspiration.
Sylvia, 25, London: I’m passionate about being a part of this initiative because I believe everyone should be able to access the support and resources they need in a way that is easy and quick, and not overwhelming as all those pages of Google and other search engines. What excites me most about the future of this initiative is helping more people become aware of the services and getting the resources they need.
Ray, 25, Edinburgh: I was drawn to this role because I believe the initiative is superb and I would love to contribute to this team. I’m excited about the future of this initiative as it has the ability and potential to help so many people across UK.
Matthew, 27, Hebden Bridge: I’m passionate because it feels like I’m a part of something *real* – it’s a nice change of pace for a somewhat cynical mind!! There’s no ulterior motive or ego, just a genuine drive to make a positive difference.
For me, I’ve really enjoyed learning new skills from such talented people and seeing different approaches to common problems. I’ve stayed on because everyone is in this together, and I gain twice what I put in. I have a real belief about the future of the initiative and I’m excited to be a part of it!
Ololade, 29, Glasgow: Being part of this initiative is so fulfilling and inspiring – the thought of working with like-minded people, who only seek to make a positive impact in the community. Being a volunteer helps me contribute to a meaningful cause, and I believe that it is an opportunity for me to learn, network, and grow.
Adedolapo, 28, Kent: I am passionate and committed when it comes to helping people. One of my goals this year is to continue to give back to the community. Helping others find support is what this this project stands for and resonates with me. I also wanted to be part of the initiative to bring change to the community while also gaining new experiences and developing new skills.
Agueda, 51, Bishop’s Stortford: I’m passionate about being part of this initiative as I enjoy helping other people as much as possible. I’m looking forward to using my own personal experience to help make things easier for people struggling to find help. I’m excited that this project will continue to grow and reach out to more and more people.
Molly, 25, Hitchin: I am passionate about this initiative and excited to be involved in something that is going to impact people in a positive way! I am excited to see the project grow and help more people in need.
Annecha, 44, Hampshire: One of my passions is to help women confidently rebuild their lives after adverse life experiences. I was drawn to this initiative because I believe the experience would help me to become more knowledgeable about different services and resources that may be available to support and help reignite hope within this community.
Martyna, 25, Edinburgh: I’m passionate about trying something new as I enjoy learning. Also, I want to help create something meaningful that will help people facing barriers when looking for support. When I saw the role, it attracted me because I wanted to use my research skills and psychology knowledge in a project that has real life implications. I’m excited to see how the initiative develops and grows.
Jo, 51, London: I’m thrilled to be a part of Cohort 6 and looking forward to spreading the word of Cat and her team’s hard work and valuable resource.
Daniel, 39, Hull: The growth of the support network excites me the organisation has already made great progress in the last week and hopefully this will continue.
Jess, 26, Bristol: This is an amazing organisation with incredible potential to make a huge difference to many people’s lives and I am so excited to be a part and help it grow! I was drawn to this role because I was looking for a volunteering scheme where I could give back to a wider community. Expert, informed information on services across health and wellbeing topics such as mental health should be available to everyone.
Shannon, 24, Northern Ireland: This is a truly invaluable resource and being able to contribute to its growth and development in any way is a wonderful feeling. The passion and effort put forward by the founder and fellow volunteers is infectious, when working with them I am constantly left feeling energised and motivated to make a difference. Volunteering for an initiative with such an empathetic ethos is a fantastic feeling and I’m excited to see how many more people it will connect to help in the future.
Viola: There have been many occasions where I witnessed people close to me trying to reach out for professional help. But after putting so much energy in taking the step to get help they often withdrew after being overwhelmed with struggling to find the right resources or not finding support at all. Being a part of providing an easier access to resources that are quality checked is what makes me passionate about this role!
Deepthi, 33, Sheffield: The cause excites me, supporting people and helping them to identify their problem , providing the standard information.
Jake, 27, Oldham: I am greatly passionate about this initiative because I’ve seen it grow and develop in the years I’ve been volunteering. The founder’s, Cat, passion is infectious and she has a real will to help and support people which is relatable for myself. The most exciting thing is the growth, each Cohort the initiative just keeps growing and becoming more successful, which is exciting to think about!
I have stayed on for all the reasons mentioned above, I love the initiative and have a real passion for it. Cat is great to work with and all the volunteers I’ve worked with past, present and future make it a joy. It’s a satisfying feeling knowing I’m helping to make a difference to people in the UK.
Vayodya, 33, Middlesbrough: I was inspired by Cat’s leadership and management skills in Cohort 5. Therefore, I decided to stay on to Cohort 6 to improve my communication, management and language skills while engaging with the teams. I’m so excited to see how our teams are going to make a success and meet their objectives this Cohort. I wanted to invest my spare time in quality work that helps me to improve while giving some volunteering service to society, this experience ticks that box.
Issie, 23, Portsmouth: I am passionate about joining this initiative because I believe that it is a very valuable resource that should be promoted and shared as much as physically possible! This directory is an excellent tool that directly leads people in need to relevant resources and hotlines, making the task of finding help as quick and simple as it always should have been.
I was drawn to this role because I have experienced times of crisis where I have found it difficult to find relevant and beneficial resources that can actually assist me. I wanted to play a part in this initiative because it’s so easy to completely give up when struggling to find help. It is something that needs to change. And it is something that can be changed via this initiative!
Sikemi, London: I am passionate about being part of this initiative because it’s a rewarding way to give back to the wider community and I enjoy being part of something designed to help people. Initially, the research aspect is what drew me to the role. I enjoy taking a deeper look and determining how useful a resource can be.
Seeing how far we have come since the beginning has encouraged me to stay on and remain a part of what is a wonderful initiative. I think that it can be easy to get lost looking for help online, but we do a wonderful job of signposting people to the necessary resources. I am grateful to be a part of such a great community! Bimpe, 36, Aberdeen: I am passionate being part of the initiative because it will help me understand the circumstances of other members of the community and help me to be an effective and empathetic citizen. What drew me to the role is the fulfilling feeling of giving back to the community.
Linda, 31, Glasgow: I am passionate about being part of this initiative because it gives me an avenue to give back to the community using my digital skills. I love and admire the vision and mission of the initiative. There is nothing like having a straight to the point information when you need it the most. The value of updated, informative and verified content cannot be underestimated.
“I’m looking forward to using my own personal experience to help make things easier for people struggling to find help. I’m excited that this project will continue to grow and reach out to more and more people.”
Agueda Urdanibia Fernández
Cohort 6 Volunteer
