Volunteering for Wellbeing

Make a Difference. Feel the Difference.

Volunteering is powerful — not only for the people you support, but for you too.

Giving your time, skills or experience can bring a renewed sense of purpose, create connection and boost confidence. At Bridges, volunteering is about strengthening wellbeing — both individual and community.

We offer flexible, meaningful opportunities across Monmouthshire. Whether you have a few hours a month or time each week, we will work with you to find a role that fits your interests, skills and availability.

If you have a particular talent, passion or life experience you’d like to share, tell us — we’ll do our best to match you with an opportunity that feels right.

📞 01600 887568
✉ wellbeing@bridgescentre.org.uk

We’re always happy to have an informal chat. Please leave a message if you reach the answerphone, we will call you back!

Ways You Can Get Involved

Our opportunities evolve as community needs change. Below are just some of the ways volunteers make a difference.

🚗 Enable Someone to Get Out and About

Community Car Scheme

Help someone attend medical appointments, access services or simply stay connected.

Our volunteer drivers play a vital role in reducing isolation and supporting independence. You choose how often you help — weekly, monthly or occasionally.

Flexible commitment. Real impact.

“I thought I was just offering lifts, but it’s so much more than that. You build relationships. Sometimes I’m the only person someone sees that week — that’s a responsibility, but it’s also a privilege.”
— Community Car Scheme Volunteer

☕ Provide Companionship

Befriending

Loneliness affects over a million older people in the UK. Sometimes the simplest gestures have the greatest impact.

A cup of tea. A conversation. A regular visit.

Our befriending volunteers offer companionship to people who may not otherwise having meaningful social contact. It’s a small commitment that can make a lasting difference.

Take a look at our Befriending Scheme Here

🚲 Become a Trishaw ‘Pilot’

Experience the joy of helping someone feel the wind in their hair again.

Our trishaw pilots support older or disabled residents to enjoy safe, guided cycle rides around their community.

A trishaw is a specially designed three-wheeled cycle with a comfortable passenger seat at the front. It allows people who may no longer be able to cycle themselves to enjoy being outdoors again. The trishaws we use have electric battery assistance, which helps the rider when pedalling and makes it easier to travel up hills or over longer distances.

A pilot is the trained volunteer who cycles the trishaw. As a pilot, you’ll be responsible for steering, pedalling and ensuring your passengers have a safe, relaxed and enjoyable experience.

Full training and support is provided — you don’t need to be a cycling expert, just someone who enjoys being outdoors and connecting with people.

We currently operate trishaws in Monmouth, Abergavenny and Caldicot — and are always looking for new pilots.

“The first time a passenger closed their eyes and said, ‘I’d forgotten what this feels like,’ I knew I was hooked. It’s not just a bike ride — it’s freedom.”
Clare — Trishaw Pilot 🚲

🎨 Support Group Activities

Could you help facilitate arts and crafts, board games, reminiscence sessions or social groups across the county?

Volunteers bring energy and warmth to our wellbeing activities, helping create safe, welcoming spaces for connection.

Our Social Circles group currently run twice weekly in Monmouth (Tuesdays and Thursdays), with additional social groups in Abergavenny (Thursdays and Fridays) and Caldicot (Tuesdays) — and volunteers play a key role in helping these sessions feel friendly, relaxed and inclusive.

A Positive Volunteer Experience

We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive and supportive volunteering environment.

Bridges supports volunteers across Monmouthshire to develop their own wellbeing while strengthening the wider community. As part of this commitment, we are working towards Investing in Volunteers Accreditation — ensuring that our volunteer roles, supervision and standards reflect best practice.

We provide:

  • Clear role descriptions
  • Training and guidance
  • Ongoing support
  • A welcoming, respectful environment

Volunteer Pack – provides information about how to volunteer with us.

Volunteering Policy – lays out how we provide a safe, inclusive volunteering experience.

Contact Us

Start the Conversation. Volunteering doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you’re exploring something new, returning to work, building confidence or simply wanting to give back, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch for an informal conversation and discover how you can be part of strengthening wellbeing across Monmouthshire.

Get in touch