Volunteering as a host for the Stand by You Switzerland community

The whole of Switzerland

Year-round

Social issues

Family members and close friends of people with mental illness often face significant challenges as they support their loved ones. Many feel alone with their concerns, questions and experiences and face social stigma.

Stand by You Switzerland is committed to ensuring that family members are heard, seen and supported. In a safe online community, family members can share their experiences, find understanding and support one another.

As a volunteer community host, you make a valuable contribution to better mental health, social inclusion and active solidarity. You foster respectful interactions, strengthen the sense of community and help other family members feel that they are not alone in their experiences. As a host, you play an important role within our online community. Together with a dedicated moderation team, you create an atmosphere of trust, facilitate meaningful dialogue among equals and ensure that everyone treats one another with respect.

Duration:

Two hours per week (April to September and October to March)

Location:

Online

How it will work:

As a host, you help foster a sense of community. The role itself is very varied and flexible. You can either write your own posts or respond empathetically to others’ posts, drawing on your own experience. Daily or group hosts have a little more responsibility, such as welcoming new members and offering support in stressful situations.

Introduction:

At the beginning, the lead host will carefully introduce you to the role. You’ll observe and get a feel for what hosting is all about. Step by step, you’ll grow into the role and may later take on responsibility as a daily or group host.

Support:

The hosts communicate regularly and meet online once a month. In an emergency, another host is always available to agree on a way forward. You’ll also have the opportunity to participate in training sessions and in-person meetings.

Tasks:

As a host, you are part of the moderation team. You help create a welcoming atmosphere in the community, facilitate shared experiences, ensure that interactions are respectful and provide support when conversations become stressful.

What you’ll need:

The most important requirements are your own experience as a family member and your willingness to share it with others. You’ll also need access to a smartphone, tablet or computer available and must be able to communicate reliably.

Project language

German, French, Italian, English

Our project partner:

Stand by You Switzerland

Stand by You Switzerland aims to strengthen solidarity, expand support services for family members and loved ones and help make psychiatric and social-psychiatric care in Switzerland more effective, sustainable and humane.

Pass on details of the project