Choirstarter at Dad La Soul

What does the opportunity involve doing?

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 or 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 induction, training and support is offered?

You will not be doing this alone.

Dad La Soul volunteers receive induction, 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.

What skills or qualities are needed?

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 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
Calm, grounded, and able to hold space for others
A dad who wants 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