free listening Fridays
We are dedicating the last Friday of every month to Free Listening. This is an opportunity for volunteers to practice and participate in Free Listening out on the street.
Free Listening is the practice of listening to others in a compassionate, non-judgmental way; it is an opportunity to provide a safe space for people to be heard.
Grab a friend, make a Free Listening sign, and allow people to talk, sing, dance, yell, cry and share with you whatever is on their mind.
Follow these easy steps to get started:
Download and read through our Partner Guide.* This will guide you through the basics of listening, as well as safety guidelines.
Watch our How To Do Free Listening Instructional Video.* This covers the Keys to Listening, the things that block us from listening, how to keep a connection going, how to start your own group, and how to stay safe when Free Listening.
Make a sign. Write Free Listening on a piece of cardboard. Your sign can be as simple or as artistic as you want it to be!
Choose a spot. Find a safe street corner where there is lots of foot traffic. Hold up your sign and wait for someone to approach you.
Wait, and listen. When someone approaches you, put your sign down and listen, giving them your full attention.
Share your experience. Take a photo of you and your friends Free Listening, and let us know where you are Free Listening. Share on social media, if you’d like. Don’t forget to tag us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. (To respect the integrity of the Free Listening experience, we do not record anyone while they share with us.)
*Both our Partner Guide and Instructional Video are a must read and watch for anyone considering Free Listening.
Check out our calendar below!
We have dedicated Free Listening volunteers all across the world! Since many of our volunteers are in the same cities, we created a way for everyone to communicate, organize, and share stories. Our Volunteer Message Board on Facebook is a page dedicated to the hundreds of Urban Confessional volunteers around the world. This is a great place to connect with other volunteers.
See you out on the streets Free Listening!
CONTACT
For any questions about participating in Free Listening Fridays, becoming a Free Listener, and connecting with other Free Listening volunteers, email our Director of Free Listening at chiara@urbanconfessional.org.