Women’s Mental Health & Wellbeing Service

We provide safe, trusted and supportive women-only spaces in both North and South Kirklees, for women experiencing difficulties with their mental health and wanting to maintain their wellbeing. All our activities are provided by women, for and with women.

At the core of all our services is the concept that each women leads the way out of her presenting difficulties with resources, facilitation and support provided by WomenCentre.

We take an holistic approach to women’s lives and their mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Our groups and courses are co-facilitated by workers and volunteers and aim to increase confidence, self-esteem, reduce anxiety and isolation, support recovery from domestic abuse, after grief and loss and develop healthy relationships. We also have specialist support for mothers living apart from their children, refugees and migrants and LGBTQ+

We also offer activity based groups including singing, sewing and knitting, art and craft, reading and walking.

In addition to this, we offer three drop in sessions per week where women new to the service can find out more about what we offer and book an appointment for an initial meeting.

The drop ins also provide a space where women can access support on a regular or occasional basis as their needs require, including referral on to other mental health providers where appropriate.

Mothers Apart Volunteer

Help Build a Safe, Warm Space for Mothers 

Living apart from your children is a deeply emotional journey. Many mothers face this challenge in silence, feeling lonely and judged.
Our Mothers Apart group is a friendly peer support circle where these mothers can feel safe. This means mothers with similar life experiences come together to support each other as equals.
We welcome women from all backgrounds and cultures. Together, we operate as a collaborative group where everyone has a voice. Our focus is on empowerment, helping mothers find their inner strength, discover who they are, and improve their well-being.  We are looking for a kind and caring volunteer to assist our group facilitator. 

What Our Group Does 

We believe in healing through peer support, connection, creativity, and calm. We use a co-productive approach, meaning our members and facilitators work together as equal partners to design and choose our activities. Our sessions are always varied and engaging, bringing people together through: 

• Connecting – in a safe, non-judgemental environment 
• Creative Projects – Using crafts and different mediums and outlets to express feelings without needing words.
• Mindfulness Outings – Taking relaxing trips into nature for example, "forest bathing." 
• Sensory Grounding – Learning to use sight, hearing, and touch to stay calm in the present. 

Role Requirements

We would preferably look for someone with life experience of being a mother living apart from her children. However, we also welcome you if you are simply: 

• Warm and Empathetic – You naturally care for others and understand their feelings. 
• Genuine and Open – You are down-to-earth, honest, and approachable. 
• Non-Judgemental – You accept people exactly as they are without criticism.
• Committed to Empowerment – You love lifting others up and celebrating their growth. 
• A Believer in Peer Support – You value the power of shared experiences and equal community. 
• Reliable – You can show up consistently, as our mothers rely on steady faces.

How You Can Help Us 

As a volunteer, you do not need to be an expert or a therapist. Your main role is to help our lead facilitator protect this peer support space, making our collaborative group feel like a warm, welcoming home. 

Your regular tasks will include:

1. Creating a Welcome – greeting mothers at the door with a friendly smile. 
2. Understanding about the various reasons – understand why women are living separately from their children, considering the different factors that contribute to this with a non-judgemental attitude.  
3. Setting Up – helping prepare the room, making tea, and setting out materials. 
4. Being Present – sitting with the mothers, listening without judgement, and joining in. 
5. Practical Support – helping out during our outings to keep everyone safe. 
6. Supporting Coproduction – helping mothers voice their ideas for future group sessions. 

What You Will Get Back 

Volunteering with us is incredibly rewarding. You will see first-hand how isolation turns into friendship and how mothers rebuild their confidence through peer support and empowerment. You will also learn helpful skills in co-productive community work, mindfulness, and creative arts. 

📢 JOIN OUR CIRCLE TODAY 

If you have a warm heart and a few hours to spare, we would love to meet you. 

• Where We Meet: WomenCentre, Huddersfield  
• When We Meet:  Every other Tuesday from 12.30 pm – 2.30 pm.  

NB: This position is open to women only (Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1 applies).

• Application form required
• References required
• DBS (criminal record check that the organisation will organise)

• 18+

Lived Experience or relevant work/voluntary experience in this field.