Volunteer with the Hackney Dudes

Hackney Dudes is our lively social club for older men in Hackney with a programme of fun and sociable activities every week.

We’re looking for a new volunteer (or two) to help make sure Dudes activities are safe and welcoming, and that Dudes are able to get help with things they need.

Volunteers will be able to pick and choose the activities they want to get involved in depending on their interests and availability. Example tasks for each of the activities might include:

For the weekly drop-in at Dalston Curve Garden:

- Welcoming and chatting with Dudes, especially anyone who seems withdrawn

- Helping Dudes complete application forms for Freedom passes

- Signposting Dudes to local services and other community activities

- Serving tea/coffee and lunch

For the weekly Zoom call:

- Hosting the call

- Creating a quiz

- Being quizmaster!

For trips:

- Accompanying the group and helping the Project Lead to supervise

- For local trips in Hackney, sometimes leading the group as solo trip facilitator.

Skills and attitude

No specific skills are required, but volunteers will need to share the values and ethos of the Hackney Dudes and MRS Independent Living (which runs the project) which include being:

- Non-judgemental

- Empathetic

- Sensitive and alert to individual needs

- Understanding of people's diverse range of experiences

- Able to recognise when someone is withdrawn, is not their usual self, or might be struggling with something they have not shared.

What you’ll get out of it

The Dudes are a lovely group of older men who enjoy spending time together. Volunteers will be warmly welcomed into this strong community and be able to regularly enjoy the fantastic environment at Dalston Curve Garden and the arts and cultural scene in Hackney and London.

Volunteers will be given a free hot lunch and refreshments if they attend the Friday drop-in, and if they help out with Wednesday trips, tickets and lunch will be purchased for them.

Time commitment

Ideally we’d like volunteers to be able to commit to regular attendance on Wednesdays and/or Fridays, as this is when the project needs most support. The Wednesday trips are usually 11am to 3/4pm, and the Friday drop-in at Dalston Curve Garden takes place from 11am - 1pm.

How to apply

Please email volunteering@mrsindependentliving.org to introduce yourself, why you’d like to volunteer with the Dudes and what you can offer. If you’d like an informal conversation about the role, feel free to call Natalie on 0330 380 1013.