Questions for our Volunteers!

1. What initially inspired you to sign up to volunteer?

The urge to save a life , not let anyone feel alone !

2. What's the most gratifying part(s) of volunteering for you?

Everything really, the whole idea of being a *someone* for those that need *someone* and being able to play a small part in this is the most gratifying for me ! Could take a while if I actually start listing lol, so much to feel grateful for ! Immensely honored to be a part of such a loving and wonderful community !

3. What's one piece of advice you would give someone who is looking to volunteer here on Cups?

There will be ups and downs along the way but I assure you the ups will always outweigh the downs , just hang In and never hesitate to ask for support and assistance Andd Andd you'll fall in love with the people and the community instantly ( probably in a while , I think xD ) haha , but don't forget to prioritize self care ! ❤

❤ To all coming across this, YOU are awesome! Thanks for being a part of 7 cups ❤

@Heather225

Hi H! 😃❤️ Thank you for the great forum post

1. I was initially inspired to become a volunteer in an effort to help others. For me, I thought surely, there must be some way I can help? Can I show up? Can I type? Can I care? Seems as if I definitely checked those boxes.

2. The most gratifying parts of volunteering on this site is helping others, members, listeners, my team mates.

3. I imagine a good piece of advice would be boundary setting. This comes in many ways, forms, shapes and sizes. It's okay to pace yourself, it's also okay to get your feelings hurt. You can walk it off, engage in self care and tomorrow is always yet another day. Try to not be alone around here, you only need at least one person to believe in you to end up being okay. If at times you are alone or feel like you are, the universe will bring to you what it is you need I guess in the end to uplift you. It's a big place. If you aren't appreciated in one area of the site, feel free to make the choice to move along to another area and try your best that way.

@Heather225

1. What initially inspired you to sign up to volunteer? My interest in psychology

2. What's the most gratifying part(s) of volunteering for you? Speaking and helping different people

3. What's one piece of advice you would give someone who is looking to volunteer here on Cups?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions or block someone threatening you

1. What initially inspired you to sign up to volunteer? I just generally like helping others. I know how important it had been in my life, and still is, to have a support system to lean on. Yes, we may not know each other very personal but it is ok to show that we care about others and want to help them their what they are feeling.
2. What's the most gratifying part(s) of volunteering for you? For me it is when the other person walks away from the chat feeling better than when they began or if they at least feel supported.
3. What's one piece of advice you would give someone who is looking to volunteer here on Cups? I would say to be patient and be understanding. We are all from different time zones, cultures, and walks of life so we all have different situations. A person may be upset about something and without realizing it they may take it out on you. It can be hard to take it with a grain of salt but sometimes that is what is needed. Also, sometimes a person needs to slowly go through what they are feeling so just have patience as they answer questions or talk about what they are feeling.

1. What initially inspired you to sign up to volunteer?

I had felt amazed by the idea of connecting with someone (the member) with the purpose of listening them and helping them feel better. I was sold to this idea.

2. What's the most gratifying part(s) of volunteering for you?

The feeling connected with the member in a good chat, as well as encouraging listener peers be better at the work we do here.

3. What's one piece of advice you would give someone who is looking to volunteer here on Cups?

Just listening really helps. It works wonders as we understand and enter the member's world and offer our kindness and compassion. That's a great healing for them, and for us.

@Heather225

1. What initially inspired you to sign up to volunteer?

I was from nature a helpful person from the day I could remember. Helping others made me happy and excited and seeing their faces after helping them was the best part. The day I first came to 7 cups was to get help myself. I was tired of what I was going through and wanted to vent it out to someone. I remember searching for online counselling and 7 Cups was the first among the list. Landing on the web page itself made me feel safe. I got connected to a wonderful listener who helped me and gave a really nice perspective of the situation I was in. After the conversation I was happy, free and grateful for that person who was there for me and listened to all my craziness. Then it suddenly hit me. I was able to get help from this wonderful community so why don't I volunteer and help people? That's when everything changed, I signed up to be a listener and that was the best decision I took at that time and I'm really proud of myself for doing so. Without that I wouldn't have met these awesome people; my team mates, fellow listeners, mentors and everyone else out there.

2. What's the most gratifying part(s) of volunteering for you?

Well, for one the satisfaction coming from being there for a person was a big part. I've been on the other side where I had to go through stuff alone and find solutions to come out of it by myself and I never want anyone to be in that position. So if I could help someone to know that they are being heard and they are not alone that I believe is really great!

Second of all, it's gratifying to see that we actually helped people from their comments, feedback, etc. It just shows that we've taken another step to make this world a place filled with compassion and kindness.

Third, I've had the chance to be in some amazing teams and was able to provide guidance and feedback for my fellow listeners. That for me is yet another satisfaction from being here at 7Cups as I get to help others reach more people and grow this community.

3. What's one piece of advice you would give someone who is looking to volunteer here on Cups?

7Cups is a place where people can be themselves, talk, learn and get help and guidance. In the end we are all contributing to the society in ways that we can't imagine sometimes. So, one piece of advice I would give is, make sure you keep this place as great as it already is (if not even more) and be here to help people, learn more about others values so that one day you can look back and say "I was a part of a wonderful community that changed the world for the best!"

1.) I had to chose volunteering somewhere for my honor society and I wondered if I could volunteer at 7cups because I was already trying to be a listener. And I got my chance and I really hope I love it!

2.) The most gratifying of volunteering so far is helping people find their own answers to their problems.

3.) One piece of advice would be to be very patient and kind to the members who come hoping to find a listener who cares.

I'm wondering how to apply to become a listener

I started out as a member in March 2020 for about a week and came back jan 2021, because I needed to find distractions really bad. All of my thoughts caused me to think directly of suicide. I had just survived a near fatal attempt that actually gave me ptsd it was so bad. I was amazed at how much 7 cups had to offer. I decided to be a listener because I needed a reason to exist. A purpose for the non stop loss and trauma that took away all I had in this world. Each time I thought I had nothing left to lose, I would lose more until I was 3 things away from absolute nothing. That is the pain that only experience could make me feel. Not only was I desolate, but I realized how I do not matter. If I was an inconvenience or caused negative feelings in another person, they would cut me out of their life. Even people I asked multiple times if they would give up on me. After giving me multiple “never”s, especially since they knew how hurt I already was, they all did anyway and with so little effort. My therapist just did that a week ago without giving me a reason. She cancelled our visit after 17 visits and wrote to use our appt time to find a new provider. In her words in my last visit summary, I had developed good rapport with her. As I started to trust her she only proved once again that I do not matter. That only made me want to be a comfort to others even more. To tell them they matter and prove I’ll never giving up on them. Only death would separate us. Also by listening to others, I don’t think of myself or my painful memories. That was/is the biggest benefit for me. Sometimes my instability causes me to need micro breaks, but I soon begin to miss my longer term members .. it’s only by returning to them that I realize there may be someone I matter to. To sum it all up, I am the one that gets such a tremendous amount of support and love by listening and giving my best to someone in pain. I am getting so much more than I give. I feel needed. This is the only tool I have left, and it is far better than all the other tools combined!!

@Heather225 hello! thanks for the post! i answer the questions.

1. What initially inspired you to sign up to volunteer?

the ability to "save" someone, not let him be alone :)

2. What's the most gratifying part(s) of volunteering for you?

everything. already be an listener is awesome! plus i can listen others problems and make them feel better!

3. What's one piece of advice you would give someone who is looking to volunteer here on Cups?

do it! you will help the other and yourself.