Our Volunteers

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The very roots of our organisation are in the involvement of male survivors. From the founder of the organisation, to our Ambassadors, to the 40% of male survivors within the workforce. Taking up a voluntary role is another vital means by which be can continue to be a ‘survivor-led’ organisation. Specifically, ensuring that survivor voices are present in

Service development
Charity governance
Education and research projects
Lobbying and awareness raising campaigns

Male survivors will always be centre stage. Further, when we say male survivors, we mean ALL male survivors… as only then will we make our vision of a society where no male survivor is left behind a reality.

Expert Reference Group

Since opening the doors in 2009, We Are Survivors has always had male survivors to consult to help ensure that projects, services and interventions are survivor-led. This has meant we can call upon ‘expertise-by-experience’ to answer core ethical concerns relevant to the charity’s growth; How do we know what we’re doing is right? What do we do when we get it wrong? How do we meet the needs of male survivors?

In 2018 we formalised this consultation process with the introduction of the ERG (Expert Reference Group), a group of current and ex-service users/clients who volunteer their time to provide the CEO and others with guidance and expertise in meeting the needs of male survivors.

Many organisations who deliver health or wellbeing services, whether they be in the Charity sector or through the NHS, will offer voluntary membership for a ‘Service User Group’, ‘Patient Experience Group’ or ‘Lived Experience Panel’. Involving those who have utilised the services an organisation delivers is vital to the maintenance of a healthy and client-focused organisation.

Our ERG model and constitution has been through a number of changes, evolving to ensure that it consistently meets the needs of the organisation.

The current ERG model is as follows:

The maximum number of ERG members is 14.
12 members of the ERG are drawn from individuals who no longer access services.
2 members of the ERG are drawn from individuals who are currently engaged in accessing services.
The ERG meet once a quarter for a formal ‘ERG Meeting’ in which an agenda is set and time allocated for discussions.
Ad hoc meetings between these range from meeting with key public figures and charity stakeholders, hosting client ‘Open-House’ events, meeting to discuss research projects, and other charity-wide meetings such as the AGM and conferences.
One We Are Survivors staff member will assume the role of Chair, ensuring all members have the opportunity to exercise their voice, as well as overseeing safeguarding and the wellbeing of members in their role.
One We Are Survivors staff member will assume the role of Secretariat, drafting and distributing agendas and minutes, processing expenses, and providing operational support.

While we appreciate the passion and energy ERG members bring their volunteering role, ANY AND ALL INVOLVMENT IS OPTIONAL. Attendance or non-attendance of activities should be communicated with the Chair and Secretariat.

However, each ERG member is expected to adhere to Confidentiality Policy, Terms of Reference, and the Nolan Principles.

Further, each ERG member undertakes training in Safeguarding Level 1, Committee Management, Basics of Charity Finance, and other appropriate training courses which are all funded by We Are Survivors.

Each ERG member is a volunteer and therefore is not paid for their time. However, all travel costs and other volunteering costs are reimbursed by We Are Survivors, ensuring that no ERG member is out of pocket for their time given.

ERG Members

Callum

ERG

Carl

ERG

I’m Carl. I have used We Are Survivors’ services twice, firstly receiving counselling from Duncan when the charity was at humble beginnings on Bloom Street, and years later while attending an art therapy course. What brought me to the ERG was my drive to ensure that other survivors get the best possible support they can. I am a living example of just how We Are Survivors can turn a survivor around, and help them come to terms with their survivorship.

David

ERG

Through the support of my fellow survivors and the various teams, I am fortunate to have found my voice as a survivor. The ERG gives me the opportunity to use that voice in support those who are yet to break their silence.

Edwin

ERG

I heard about We Are Survivors many years ago through their work with Hollyoaks, and I remember making a note of the website. I kept it bookmarked, occasionally reading through information and articles, telling myself that one day when I was ready, I would ask for help with what I had been through. The day to seek help came in 2017, and when I reached out I got such a warm and welcoming response. The services I have used have been life changing.

I work in the entertainment industry, and recent events have shown that there are still abuses of power taking place in this field. We have seen too many examples of influence, prestige, and sometimes injunctions, being used to cover up criminal conduct.

In my own case, I have had significant barriers to receiving justice, and I want to ensure my experience contributes to better procedures and understanding around the specific barriers that male survivors face in reporting. I look forward to contributing to the ERG, I would like to create visibility for male survivors, and offer my experience to improve the justice system.

John

ERG

I am really pleased to be involved in the ERG as someone with a number of disabilities, both physical, psychological, and hidden.

I hope that my involvement within the group will help those currently seeking support, and those in the future who reach out to We Are Survivors for support have the best journey they can in their quest to ‘breaking the silence’.

Kevin

ERG

Born and bred in Manchester but a Liverpool FC fan, I have always been full of contradictions. They keep me and others on their toes, with this trait undoubtedly coming from my Bi-Polar, which has influenced my life in so many ways. The other thing that has dominated my life is a trauma I experienced at age 18. I had unsuccessfully (a massive understatement) tried to deal with this on my own for over 20 years. Then my partner found out about We Are Survivors and she urged me to get in touch. Through the warm welcome, community groups, and counselling I felt able to face my trauma. The care, support and expertise that I’ve experienced from We Are Survivors has been life changing and that’s why I’m proud to become part of the ERG.

Oliver

ERG

My name is Oliver Stainthorpe, and I live in Bolton with my partner. I am Christian and involved in my local church. I am a keen gardener, hiker, birder, and a botanist. I am a site manager at Smithills Estate, a large agricultural estate, and an adult carer. I am also a survivor.

I started my journey at We Are Survivors in 2020, accessing the safe room and therapy, Safe Room having been the biggest step in my journey. I am a survivor of pier perpetrated sexual abuse within the church community, and also of rape as an adult. I was diagnosed with PTSD and psychosis in 2017, and started accessing services in the NHS before being referred to We Are Survivors.

Peter

ERG

I am an ardent supporter of We are Survivors, because the services that the organisation delivers are incredibly important, and uniquely specialised to support the survivors of male sexual abuse and rape.

As a survivor of six years of abuse in a RAF paedophile ring in Cyprus and York, from the age of 9 to 15, without the expert counselling and support services of We are Survivors, I would not be in the position of be able to move forward, let to alone deal with and accept the past, and find health and fulfilment. I have endured physical and mental health issues, in with further addictions associated with this a trauma, and these have had an impact on me, my education, self-worth, my family, my friends and beyond.

The counselling and aftercare We are Survivors provided has helped me to talk through my abuse and its impact, discovering and decide on a way forward. Reporting abuse to the police is not an easy decision, and is a horrible experience. We Are Survivors were with me all the way, for which I will be eternally grateful. Latterly, We Are Survivors helped me negotiate the process of compensation, which I could never have attempted or dealt with alone.

So, as a survivor and as someone who knows We Are Survivors, the very least I can do is support them in whatever way I can.

Plamen

ERG

I’m 40 years old and moved from Bulgaria to the UK a decade ago, making Manchester my home for the last nine years.

I came to We Are Survivors to seek help for my own trauma from childhood sexual abuse. The therapy and services I received were life-changing, helping me rebuild my life and form meaningful connections with others in the community.

Joining the Expert Reference Group is my way of giving back. For me We Are Survivors stands out because it is an organisation that genuinely listens to its clients, valuing our experiences, and their feedback. Through the ERG, I hope to contribute to this unique approach, as well as help and support other survivors. I believe raising awareness and educating others about the impact of trauma is crucial.

One of the most significant turning points in my life was breaking my 25-year silence and publicly sharing my story. Support from We Are Survivors made this possible, and it’s an experience I’m profoundly grateful for. Being part of the ERG gives me a sense of fulfilment, knowing I can help fellow survivors on their journey.

Interested in being an ERG Member?

We Are Survivors welcome expressions of interest from current and past clients. In short, membership will always abide more or less to the following:

Your role on the ERG will take up a maximum of 2-4 hours per month.
Full ‘ERG Meetings’ will take place on a weekday evening (3 – 4 hours) every 3 months.
All travel expenses will be reimbursed.

As an ERG member you will be representing yourself, your fellow survivors, and the organisation, having the opportunity to attend events, speak on behalf of other survivors, and to lend your opinion to current matters on policymaking. You will also have your say on We Are Survivors’ charitable governance and how we can improve the services we offer.

Current members of the ERG say the following about what being a member has given them:

ERG Member 1
Through the ERG, I have been given the opportunity to use my voice on behalf of those male Survivors who are yet to find theirs. Everyone deserves to be heard, and it is an honour to ensure that is the case.
I am proud to work alongside a group of fellow Survivors to ensure ‘No male Survivor left behind’, and by association ‘No male Survivor left unheard’.

ERG Member 2
Being part of the ERG makes me feel like people really do care and want to work towards helping survivors. It makes me feel like even though society is far from the most supportive yet,
at least someone has our back, and being able to contribute in any way to making sure that help keeps getting better and better is an honour.

ERG Member 3
Being part of the ERG has made me realise how much hard work goes in to making We Are Survivors such a supportive, fabulous organisation.

How to apply to be an ERG Member:

To apply for a role on the ERG, please write or record a short message expressing an interest in joining and email it to: [email protected] or phone 0161 236 2182 and request to speak to Christopher about membership. If you are sending an email, please put the words ‘I am interested in joining the ERG’ in the subject line and also, please tell us your preferred methods of communication (including WhatsApp) and any accessibility needs you may have.

Volunteering

For some, volunteering is a great way to improve skills, develop talents and gain experience that can be useful in employment; whilst for others, it can be a way of giving back to communities or being part of an organisation or project attached to a cause that is important to them. We always welcome any offer of help or support, and we will try our best to match people’s skills and experiences to a volunteering role. We may not have a role suitable or even available at that time and so we will always keep people on file and let them know as soon as a position becomes available.

The type of volunteer roles available at We Are Survivors are:

Peer-Group Volunteer
Community Support Volunteer
Events Volunteer

As we reach further across Greater Manchester and raise more awareness, then we will develop more opportunities to engage volunteers so keep your eyes peeled. If you want to find other volunteering opportunities, then check out the national volunteering database at Do-It where you will find thousands of adverts and organisations looking for help.

For more information on Volunteering, please give us a call on 0161 236 2182.