Choirstarter (Supporting dads not choirs!)

Choir Starter Volunteer Role

Be the bloke who helps make honesty feel possible, and dads find their voice.

Turning “you alright, mate?” into something that actually means it.

Purpose of the role

As a Choir Starter, you are a steady presence for other dads.

You are not there to fix people.
You are not there to make a lot of noise of keep people in tune
You are not there to perform wisdom.
You are there to listen properly.

Sometimes the most powerful thing we can offer is not advice.

It is a conversation that feels safe enough to tell the truth in.

What you’ll be doing

This is not therapy.

It is not sitting in a circle taking turns.
It is not pretending everything is fine.
It is real talk in real spaces.

It is the chat after the laugh.
The moment after the joke lands.
The point where someone says, actually mate, I’m not doing great.

It is noticing who hangs back.
It is saying hello first.
It is helping make the room feel safe enough for honesty.

You will:

• Help create a relaxed space for open conversation at meet-ups
• Be available to listen and chat with other dads
• Model emotionally open, respectful conversation
• Support group discussions where it feels natural
• Gently signpost dads to other support if they need it
• Help create a friendly, inclusive atmosphere where people can speak honestly

This role is not about having all the answers.

It is about being present, paying attention, and helping other dads feel less alone.

What we’re looking for

You do not need to be a counsellor.
You do not need formal qualifications.
You do not need to have everything sorted.

We’re looking for someone who can sit with real life without flinching.

Someone who can listen without judgement.
Someone who understands that silence usually means something.
Someone who knows that being welcoming is not a small thing.

You might be a good fit if you are:

• A strong listener, with empathy and without judgement
• Someone with lived experience of fatherhood or caring
  Respectful of confidentiality and boundaries
• Comfortable talking about real life, including the hard bits
• Calm, grounded, and able to hold space for others

You do not need to be perfect.

You just need to be present.

Support and training

You will not be doing this alone.

Dad La Soul volunteers receive guidance, training, and ongoing support from the team.

This includes peer support training, healthy boundaries, and knowing when and how to signpost someone on.

There will always be someone you can go to if something feels too big to hold on your own.

What you’ll gain

You will gain more than experience.

You will be part of something real. Something useful. Something that helps other men feel less alone.

You will gain:

• A stronger connection with other dads and your community
• The chance to make a genuine difference in other fathers’ lives
  Experience in peer support, listening, and community building
• New skills in communication, boundaries, and support
• The chance to be part of something that actually matters
• Access to all other sessions for free if you volunteer for more than 6 sessions a year
• You will also help build the kind of space many of us wish had found us sooner.

Who this role is great for

• Dads who enjoy connecting with other dads
• Dads who have benefitted from support and want to give something back
• People interested in peer support, wellbeing, and community building
• Those wanting experience in supporting others or holding conversation well
• Anyone aged 18 or over

A quick note: You do not need to be in a perfect place to do this role.

But if you are going through a particularly difficult time and feel you may need more support than you can offer others right now, this role may not be the best fit at this moment.

You are still very welcome at Dad La Soul. Come along, be part of the community, and take what you need first.

Time Commitment and Accessibility

• Approximately 2 to 3 hours per event.
• Events run monthly on Thursday evenings.
• Flexible commitment, with volunteers signing up for events that suit their availability.
• All reasonable adjustments made based on site location.
• Reasonable expenses reimbursed.

Location

Sessions now running in Worthing, Brighton and Tunbridge Wells
Upcoming venues: Eastbourne (July 26) and Lewes (September 26)

Find out more or apply

Register your interest here and get more information.

For a conversation about the role, contact Aradhana on aradhana@dadlasoul.com to arrange a time to speak.

To find out more about Dad La Soul, visit Dad La Soul: Tackling social isolation for dads