Emotional support service volunteer volunteer roles

Family Lives was formed over forty years ago by volunteers with the aim of ensuring that all parents had somewhere to turn before they reach crisis point.

Remote Family Support Volunteer – Live Chat

We know that the right support at the right time makes all the difference. Family Lives provides targeted early intervention and crisis support to families who are struggling.

Organisational values:

Mission: We build better family lives together.

Vision: Families should have access to active support and understanding. 

Values: Trustworthy, Compassionate and Collaborative

Purpose of the role: To be part of a flexible team providing empathic, caring and informed support to families, carers and others who use our services.

Live chat: is a free confidential service that is accessed via our website. Service users are offered emotional support, information and advice and guidance on a broad range of family issues.

Supervised by: The Shift Supervisor

 Activities: The volunteer will be fully supervised, supported and trained to provide the following activities:

·Provide emotional support to family members via our live chat service

·Use the Family Lives support model and tools to provide an empathic responses

·Ensure that all service users receive a high quality experience

·Sign post users to other agencies for information and additional support

·Complete conversation data records

·Alert the shift supervisor to any difficult situations

General: Volunteers should be willing to:

·Attend the relevant volunteer training

·Maintain confidentiality and adhere to the other policies and procedures of the organisation

·Participate in regular support, supervision meetings and learning sessions as agreed

For home based volunteers only:

·Volunteers will need a Laptop/PC, plug in headset with microphone, fast broadband and a private place to work from home

·Volunteers need to be IT/PC literate and confident troubleshooting should they have technical difficulties

 Time: We would be looking for volunteers to commit to one four-hour shift per week, plus attending training and supervision.

Location: working remotely from home

 You need to be a UK resident.

Supervision and Support:

·Supervision during shifts

·Debrief after every shift

·1 to 1 supervision every 6 months

·Staff available outside of shift within office hours

·Annual review

The Benefits of Volunteering:

·Satisfaction in making a real and lasting difference to families who are struggling

·An opportunity to develop experience for CV and references. Family Lives is committed to helping volunteers develop their own learning and development, gaining new skills, knowledge or work experience

·Being part of a team of Family Lives volunteers and staff

·Personal development

·Opportunities to meet and interact with a wide range of people

·Out of pocket expenses reimbursed to a maximum of £10 per session if working from a centre

·Flexible hours

Volunteer Person Specification. We are looking for individuals who:

·Have experience of parenting/being in a parenting role or demonstrable experience of working with parents or children e.g. in their work, previous volunteering or a previous role

·Have an ability to respond empathically to emotional content

·Good written and verbal communication

·Have good keyboard skills and IT skills, with a minimum of 45 wpm

·Can demonstrate a willingness to question their own attitudes e.g. toward different forms of parenting

·Have a fluent, descriptive and expressive use of English

·Can remain open minded and non-judgemental

·Willing to commit to work within Family Lives’ policies, in particular our Confidentiality Policy and Risk of Harm Procedures

·Willing to commit to attending regular supervision and support sessions

·Willing to work as part of a team

·Willing to commit to a mutually agreed period or ideally a 12 months commitment to the organisation.

Typing Task Prior to Application for Live Chat

Prior to you submitting your application for a Live Chat Volunteer, we will require you to do a speed test, we ask for a minimum speed of 45 words per minute. 

Please take a screen shot and send it across with your application

You can have up to 3 attempts and decide which result you would like to forward as part of your application

Typing task

Go to the website typingtest

You are required to take the one minute typing test recording all of the results (speed, number of errors and adjusted speed).

We have remote voluntary call taker training groups the dates are below are you would need to be able to attend all 5 Modules from the training group.

Our next training groups are:

Tues 16th Sept = Please note different day

Wed 24th Sept

Weds 1st Oct

Weds 8th Oct

Wed 15th Oct 

 10am - 2pm 

Please note that all roles offered are subject to a satisfactory DBS being obtained, you will receive details of documentation required prior to your training and this must all be in no later than the second session of your training.

Volunteer Family Mentor – Southend-on-Sea

Organisation: Volunteering Matters
Location: Southend-on-Sea, Essex (and surrounding 3-mile radius)
Commitment: Part-time, flexible – around 1–2 hours per week
Duration: Minimum 6 months
Expenses: Travel and out-of-pocket costs reimbursed
Training: Full training and ongoing support provided

Make a Lasting Impact – One Family at a Time

Are you a good listener with a few hours to spare each week? Do you live in or near Southend-on-Sea? Join the Family Mentors project and support local families facing challenging times.

As a volunteer Family Mentor, you’ll build a trusting relationship with a parent or carer, offering emotional support and practical help. You’ll visit them weekly and walk alongside them as they build resilience and confidence.

No experience is needed – just compassion, reliability, and a commitment to making a difference.

What You’ll Do:

• Visit a local family weekly (in-person)

• Provide emotional and practical support

• Help parents build confidence and access local services

• Be a consistent, friendly presence during tough times

What You’ll Gain:

• Full training and 1:1 support

• Experience working with families and community services

• The satisfaction of helping a local family thrive

• Reimbursement for travel expenses

Who We’re Looking For:

• Aged 18+

• Friendly, patient and non-judgmental

• Able to commit for at least 3 months

• Living in Southend-on-Sea or nearby (within 3 miles)

We're organising a new support group in Hull and are looking for a group facilitator. Would you be interested in taking on this role?

The primary purpose of this flexible volunteering role is to support us as peer support group facilitators for support groups for those affected by brain tumours.

1. Hours: Variable – depending on individual circumstances and what people can do
2. Support Supervisor: Amy Gorse

We want to ensure that volunteering with us is not daunting, so the exact tasks might vary depending on your circumstances. However, some typical tasks may include: 

• Facilitating peer support group sessions

• Provide emotional support to attendees 

• Offer information on YBTC services

• Attending relevant training

• Maintain records of attendance and provide feedback to YBTC

• Liaise with the venue about group bookings 

We are looking for people who are: 

• Are compassionate and non-judgmental 

• Have personal or professional experience with brain tumours

• Confidence in facilitating group discussions

• Commitment to scheduled group sessions

We can offer you the following: 

• Full induction and ongoing training 

• Ongoing support and supervision in your role 

• Opportunity to learn new skills 

• The satisfaction of making a positive impact on those affected by brain tumours 

We appreciate any volunteering help you can offer YBTC and want to ensure our volunteers have a positive experience with us. We pledge to support you as much as we can.  

To improve people's lives impacted by a brain tumour in Yorkshire through local support and research.

The Coroners' Courts Support Service (CCSS) is a registered Charity whose trained volunteers give emotional and practical support to bereaved families and other witnesses attending an inquest.

We need volunteers to provide emotional support and practical help to bereaved families, witnesses and others attending Inquests at Coroners' Court. Our volunteers at court also provide help and assistance to the Coroners' Officers, as and when required.

We are looking for reliable, supportive people with excellent communication skills. A mature and calm attitude is needed in order to be able to talk to people during a sometimes bewildering and emotional experience. Volunteers must be willing to undergo a period of observations and shadowing, as well as attend a 3 day training course. A minimum commitment of one day (9:00am - 5:00pm) per fortnight is asked for. Training and mentoring is provided and travel expenses to the court are reimbursed.

New volunteers should possess good communication and listening skills and the ability to empathise with people they support.

Islington Bereavement Service offers emotional, social and practical support to bereaved adults living in Islington.

We need volunteers to befriend bereaved people. You don’t need any previous experience, just good communication and listening skills, empathy and flexibility.

• Offer companionship, emotional support & a listening ear

• Accompany people to appointments or on local outings

• Direct people to important services

What commitment will I need to give?

• You must be able to offer 5–6 hours of your time per month

• You will need to attend a 2 day induction training

• We ask for a minimum commitment of 6 months.

• Learn new skills and gain experience

• Receive peer support and attend group supervision

• We provide travel expenses and reference after 6 months

Lead Volunteer Role Description

• To update the Volunteers’ Rota from the Court diary and ensure that each Volunteer in the team and the CCSS office has a copy. Wherever possible, the Rota should be kept on a computer for updating and emailed to the rest of the team and the office. 

• Ensure sufficient numbers of Volunteers are on duty for effective and appropriate support for bereaved families and witnesses who attend the Inquests.

• To arrange and re-arrange the Rota between the Volunteers, noting any holiday or leave of absence dates.

• Ensure a finalised Rota is sent to the office at the end of each month in order for volunteer expenses to be checked and processed.

• To ensure that all the Volunteers have each other’s contact details and the Volunteer emergency contact details are included in the court file and updated when changes occur.

• To ensure monthly and yearly statistics are kept up to date and to send the Monthly Statistics to the Volunteer who collates the stats at the end of each month.

• To ensure there are sufficient Report Forms for the Volunteers’ use if collecting stats in paper format.  If alternative methods of collecting stats are used, to ensure that the team are all using the same method.

• To inform the Operations & Training Manager and the CCSS office of the need for more Volunteers or of any leavers.

• To assist with the recruitment interviews and induction of new Volunteers.

• Responsible for the support of new Volunteers and their final sign off.  Where the Lead Volunteer has concerns about the level of support required or the competency of a new Volunteer, they should refer those concerns to the Operations & Training Manager.

• To organise Volunteer team meetings (minimum of 3 meetings per year) and to inform the Operations & Training Manager and the CCSS office via email of the dates of these so they can attend if necessary/appropriate.

• To immediately refer any serious concerns raised by the Coroner or Coroner’s Officers to the CEO.

• To inform the CEO immediately of any issues or concerns that arises at the Court that might impact on the CCSS.

• To provide local information for the Helpline Court Information Sheet when requested.

• To ensure the team follow the practices of the court and work in partnership with the court staff.
• To forward any testimonials about the support provided by our volunteers to the CCSS office.

• Responsibility for maintaining the stock of CCSS leaflets.

• Organise cover for themselves when they are on holiday or need to take time off.

Hours: Variable – depending on individual circumstances and what people can do

Location: Variable – we are looking to extend our reach of peer support walks throughout Yorkshire

Main Tasks:

We appreciate any volunteering help that you can offer YBTC and want to make sure that our

volunteers have a positive experience with us. We pledge to support you as much as we can.

We want to ensure that volunteering with us does not feel too daunting, so the exact tasks might

vary depending on your circumstances. However, some typical tasks may include:

· Support our regular wellbeing/peer support walks

· Welcome participants and help them feel comfortable, fostering a friendly and inclusive atmosphere

· Encourage conversations among participants, offering a listening ear

· Be attentive to the well-being of all participants during the walk

· Offer information on YBTC services

· Attending occasional training sessions or volunteer meetings organised by YBTC

We are looking for people who are:

· Are warm and non-judgemental

· Reliability – are punctual and committed to scheduled walks

· Collaborative mindset to work effectively with staff and volunteers

· Basic physical fitness to complete the walks, awareness of the needs of participants with

different mobility/health conditions

We can offer you the following:

· Full induction and ongoing training

· Ongoing support and supervision in your role

· Opportunity to learn new skills and meet new people

· The satisfaction of making a positive impact on those affected by brain tumours

Background

Founded in 2003 and originally named Andrea’s Gift and later Brain Tumour Research and Support

Across Yorkshire, Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity (YBTC) is Yorkshire and Humber’s leading

brain tumour charity. Offering practical, financial and emotional support to both adult and child

brain tumour patients, together with their families.

We fund brain tumour research in Yorkshire; we hope this research, dedicated to identifying new

approaches to the discovery and treatment of brain tumours will improve outcomes for patients.

At YBTC we are a small team who are growing to meet the needs of those affected by a brain

tumour in Yorkshire. Around 15 new cases of primary brain tumours are diagnosed in the region

every week.

Our charity values are: Integrity, Compassion, Community & Ambition.

Our Vision/Mission

To improve the lives of people impacted by a brain tumour in Yorkshire through local support and research.

Organisation: Support U is a leading LGBTQIA+ resource and support service based in the Thames Valley area. 

Location: Work from home but ideally based in Bracknell / Reading / Wokingham  

Commitment: Approximately 2-4 hours a week alongside any training and volunteer team catch ups / planning meetings 

Overview: 

Sometimes, you just need someone to listen without judgement. That’s why we’re launching a brand-new telephone support service for the LGBTQ+ community, and we’re looking for friendly, reliable volunteers to help make it happen. As a Volunteer Support Mentor, you’ll answer pre-booked calls from service users, creating a safe space for them to speak openly, offering emotional support, guidance, and signposting to other resources. 

What You’ll Be Doing 

• This is a home based volunteering role, but you’ll need to be based in Berkshire, ideally in the Bracknell, Reading, or Wokingham area. 

• The telephone support service will run twice a week within a 2-hour time slot. You’ll ideally commit to 2–4 hours per week. 

• Service users will pre-book telephone appointments via our website. 

• You’ll answer calls, providing a safe, non-judgemental space for users to talk openly, offering emotional support, guidance, and signposting to other relevant services. 

• After each call, you’ll complete a short record noting what was discussed, any guidance given and any safeguarding concerns. 

• Support U’s designated safeguarding leads will be available during service hours for any immediate advice or escalation. 

Who This Role Would Suit 

• Someone looking for a long term volunteering opportunity. 

• Qualified counsellors, psychotherapists, or other talking therapy practitioners who wish to give back to the community. 

• Students or trainees in counselling, psychotherapy, psychology, social work, or mental health nursing seeking practical experience. 

• Individuals with experience in mentoring, coaching, befriending, or other listening based support roles. 

• People with strong empathy, good listening skills, and an interest in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of the LGBTQ+ community. 

What’s In It for You 

• Make a direct and positive impact on the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals. 

• Help create a safe, judgement free space for those who may never have experienced one before. 

• Offer meaningful support, even a short 30 minute conversation can impact someone’s day or outlook. 

• Contribute to a wider effort to foster safety, inclusion, and understanding within the community. 

• Gain valuable experience in active listening, support work and working with diverse communities. 

• Be part of a welcoming, passionate and supportive team. 

Requirements 

• Based in Berkshire (preferably Bracknell, Reading, or Wokingham). 

• Able to realistically commit to a minimum of 2-4 hours per week for the long term. 

• Basic administrative skills and strong communication and organisation skills. 

• Some experience in a similar line of work (e.g. counselling, mentoring, support work) or willingness to learn and undertake training. 

• Willing to undergo an enhanced DBS check. 

• Evidence of completed safeguarding training or willingness to complete safeguarding training organised by Support U. 

• Comfortable using basic technology to answer calls/log call notes. 

• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and safeguarding best practice. 

We are looking for 2 Helpline Volunteers to play an essential role in ensuring service users (SUs) receive timely, empathetic, and confidential support, as well as clear signposting to relevant services.

You will support the SBS Helpline in providing high-quality, trauma-informed advice, information, and emotional support to Black and minoritised women and girls affected by domestic abuse and other forms of gender-based violence, including forced marriage, rape and sexual abuse, so-called honour crimes, and related issues such as immigration and No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF).

Volunteer Befriender: Home-Start Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, and Hammersmith & Fulham

Do you have experience with young children and have two hours to spare a week?

Are you a compassionate and reliable person who wants to make a real difference in the lives of families?

Home-Start WKCHF is looking for volunteers to support parents and children who are facing challenges such as isolation, mental health struggles, or financial difficulties.

About the Role

As a Home-Start volunteer, you will provide emotional and practical support to families with young children in their own homes. Your role may involve:                                                                                                                                                     

• Offering friendship, a listening ear and encouragement
• Helping parents build confidence in their parenting skills
• Providing practical support such as accompanying families to appointments, family hubs or groups
• Signposting to additional services and community resources

What We’re Looking For

• A friendly and non-judgmental attitude
• Experience parenting or caring for children
• Good listening and communication skills
• Commitment to volunteering for two hour per week for a minimum of six months
• Willingness to attend free preparation course and undergo a DBS / reference checks

What We Offer

• Free Volunteer Preparation Training Course
• Regular 1-to-1 supervision and ongoing support
• Additional training opportunities to enhance your skills and experience
• Reimbursement of travel and out-of-pocket expenses
• Volunteer Social Events
• A chance to develop new skills and meet like-minded people
• The opportunity to make a lasting impact on families’ lives

Join Us!

Family Lives was formed over forty years ago by volunteers with the aim of ensuring that all parents had somewhere to turn before they reach crisis point.

We know that the right support at the right time makes all the difference.

Family Lives provides targeted early intervention and crisis support to families who are struggling.

Purpose of the role:

To be part of a flexible team providing empathic, caring and informed support to families, carers and others who use our services.

Our volunteers take calls from parents and carers on a wide range of subjects, whether that might be issues around separation and divorce, isolation, depression, bullying and abuse, dealing with behavioural problems, etc. You can find out more about our services on our website. We are a national service with home-based call takers county wide and a call centre in Old Hatfield Hertfordshire.

Once trained volunteers sign up for a weekly 4-hour shift comprising 3 hours ‘online’ followed by a debrief session with your supervisor which can last around half to one hour.

We recruit volunteers with a range of backgrounds and experiences though we ask that volunteers have experience of parenting or working with children and young people, are good listeners and have a willingness to learn. Being remote it will be very important that you have a PC/laptop, plug in headset with microphone, good Wi-Fi and a private place to work from home. You need to be a UK resident.

Our volunteers often tell us how rewarding their time with us is.

You'll be part of a compassionate community and feel a real sense of pride for what you do. You'll meet new people, gain valuable experience, and develop your skillset. We're passionate about helping people to reach their full potential, so we'll offer you full training suitable for the role, supervision from a named member of staff, including help setting personal development goals, and opportunities to increase skills and input into practice via regular Practice Development Groups.

Our training programme is excellent and will give you the opportunity to develop the skills needed to offer empathic support and guidance to callers whatever their circumstances; all shifts are overseen by a regular shift supervisor who provides ongoing remote support.

We ask our volunteers to make a commitment of 1 year (with time off for holidays), obviously we understand that circumstances sometimes make that an impossibility but can be helpful to know at the outset that is the general expectation.

We have remote call taker training sessions that run over five sessions and is done remotely connecting you via a Microsoft Teams link. Our next training is starting in September 2025.

Module One = Tues 16th Sept

Module Two = Wed 24th Sept

Module Three = Weds 1st Oct

Module Four = Weds 8th Oct

Module Five = Wed 15th Oct

10am to 2pm

You would need to be able to attend all five sessions and be available on four occasions to listen into calls, this can be organised remotely. If you are unable to attend the training however are interested, please do apply as we run training throughout the year.

Location: Oxfordshire Discovery College, Didcot / Oxfordshire-based Primary School
Commitment: To be confirmed with the volunteer  - Expected minimum 3 hours a week for a period of 10 -12 weeks.
Reports to: Volunteer Manager

Role Overview

We are seeking a confident and compassionate volunteer to co-facilitate our mental health and wellbeing programmes for young people in school settings. This role involves working with small groups of students to support emotional learning and create safe, engaging spaces to deliver the Discovery Colleges evidence based psychoeducation programmes. You will work alongside one of our core facilitators to deliver sessions and support programme planning. 

Experience in facilitation, teaching, youth work or similar settings is beneficial. We welcome both lived experience and professional expertise in mental health and wellbeing, and value the unique perspective each volunteer brings.

You’ll need to feel comfortable working in schools and be confident engaging with young people in a supportive, structured environment. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a real difference in young lives while being part of a collaborative and values-led team. It’s also a great chance to build your facilitation skills, gain hands-on experience in mental health education, and grow your confidence working with young people.

Key Tasks

As a facilitator, your activities may include, but are not limited to:

• Being reliable — committing to agreed dates and tasks

• Co-facilitate engaging, structured group sessions for young people (age 7 - 11) in school settings, alongside one of our staff facilitators

• Create a safe, inclusive and supportive group environment, encouraging participation, emotional safety, and mutual respect

• Managing the group alone for short periods and engaging in sensitive 1:1 conversations with young people, if staff facilitator is otherwise engaged for brief periods

• Undertake appropriate safeguarding training, be alert to safeguarding concerns, follow ODC’s safeguarding procedures, and report any concerns promptly to the designated safeguarding lead

• Assist with setting up and packing down sessions, and help manage session resources as needed

• Take part in session debriefs, offering insights and feedback to support ongoing programme improvement

• Participate in relevant training and supervision, including safeguarding, ODC policies, programme orientation, and ongoing reflective practice

• Work alongside ODC staff, upholding our values around co-production, youth voice, and mental health support

Optional Activities

• Support with session planning and preparation, contributing ideas and helping shape delivery in line with programme aims

• Support with programme administration and data entry, such as attendance logs, feedback forms or basic evaluation tasks

• Where appropriate and comfortable, to share parts of your own lived experience and recovery journey 

• Conduct Parent Information calls to support our work before the programme starts and when it has been completed

Skills and Experience

We’re looking for volunteers who can bring some of the following skills and experience to the role. We don’t expect that you will meet every point — we value both professional and lived experience, and we offer training and support to help you grow and develop your skills.

• Working with young people, particularly in group settings (e.g. teaching, youth work, mentoring, facilitation, or similar)

• Knowledge of mental health, emotional wellbeing, and youth voice

• Planning, organising and basic admin tasks

• Computer literacy 

• Working as part of a team and ability to reflect on your own practice

• Awareness of safeguarding principles

• Lived experience of mental health challenges (this may include your own experience or supporting others)

• Professional expertise e.g. mental health, education, youth work

What We Offer

• Training: Full training provided.

• Opportunities for Development: We’ll support you to build confidence, grow your skills, and gain valuable experience with this role.

• Regular Supervisions: Supportive check-ins to review your role and tasks.

• Wellness Action Plan: We prioritise volunteer well-being through personalised wellness plans.

• Make an Impact: Your involvement will significantly enhance our ability to provide services effectively and make a difference to the lives of young people in Oxfordshire.

We are delighted to have secured funding to deliver a 24-month befriending programme. This exciting opportunity will support the delivery of our ambitious five-year strategy by: 

• Promoting Independence - ensuring more older people can stay independent for longer 

• Providing Connection - enabling friendship and social connection for olderPeople 

The befriending service will be provided through 2 different strands which aim to support older people in different ways based on the needs identified via an assessment. 

Clients will enter the strand that is most appropriate to their needs.

• Strand A: We will offer a local face-to-face service of up to 1 hour for 26 weeks. Strand A provision would be appropriate for older people who have experienced a recent life event, such as a hospital admission, bereavement or home move and who need time limited support and guidance to connect with suitable services and activities.

• Strands B: We will offer ongoing support either face-to- face of up to 1hour or by telephone between 30 minutes and 1 hour. Strand B provision is for older people leaving Strand A that require long term support or for those who are identified as needing ongoing face-to-face or local telephone befriending support on entry to theprogramme. 

Purpose of Role 

• Arrange and carry out assessment for new service users within the befriending service using the Guided Conversation approach, in order to gather appropriate information about the older person, their needs, and what a befriender will be expected (and not expected) to do. 

• Ensure that the person wants a befriender, has given consent, confidentiality has been discussed, and the person is able and willing to join the service. 

• Ensure that volunteers and service users are well-matched and that the service runs safely, effectively, and in line with organisational standards. 

Key Tasks 

• Carry out a needs assessment for new service users referred to the befriending service. It could be a telephone-based discussion or review of a referral form or a home visit. 

• Gather key information such as visit preferences, activity interests, potential risks, and any unmet needs. 

• Complete assessment forms and input information into the online database 

• Refer service users to other services where appropriate 

• Match service users with suitable volunteer befrienders 

• Introduce befriender and service user, and carry out a 6-week review with both parties 

• Maintain accurate records and liaise with staff throughout the process 

Skills and attributes Required 

• Good communication skills with a friendly approachable manner. 

• Confident using IT 

• Empathy and understanding of older people. 

• Understanding loneliness and social isolation. 

• Consistency and reliability.

• Understanding of Confidentiality. 

• Understanding of and empathy with the needs of older people. 

• Patience and Sensitivity. 

• Confidence to deal with emergencies. 

• Record keeping.

• Ideal for students studying Health & Social Care, though open to all. 

Support Provided 

• You will be inducted in cohorts with other volunteers. 

• Training for the role is provided including Safeguarding, Making Every Contact Count, Sexual Harassment and Building a positive volunteering experience and other more. 

• Ongoing support including regular supervision by the Volunteer Manager. 

• Goup supervision with other volunteers. Groups supervision is a safe place where you can share experiences, challenges, and successes, process emotion and learn from each other. 

• Reimbursement of agreed expenses.

• Access to an AGE UK Discount portal provided by Aon.  

• Monthly volunteer newsletter. 

• We hold an annual Volunteer Award event where we celebrate and recognise the contribution of our Volunteers! 

• Access to in-house training opportunities 

• You will receive supervision and support throughout your course placement from your named supervisor 

Benefits 

• Make a Real Difference: Have a direct impact on the lives of Making a Difference: Volunteering allows you to have a tangible impact on someone's life, particularly those in vulnerable situations. Helping older people can provide a strong sense of accomplishment and purpose. 

• Emotional Rewards 

• Intergenerational Connections 

• Learning and Skill Development 

• Enhancing Career Prospects 

• Building Empathy and Compassion 

• Giving Back to the Community 

• Social and celebration events 

• Placement Support: Ideal for Health & Social Care students—gain placement hours with supervision and guidance from a named supervisor 

• Insight into Care Needs. 

Commitment 

• We expect a minimum of 6 months commitment but would ideally prefer more of a longer-term commitment.

• Weekly commitment 2 to 3 hours.

Location: Oxfordshire Discovery College, Didcot 
Commitment: To be confirmed with the volunteer  - Expected minimum 3 hours a week for a period of 6 weeks.
Reports to: Volunteer Manager

Role Overview

We are seeking a confident and compassionate volunteer to co-facilitate our mental health and wellbeing programmes for adults who care for or support young people struggling with their mental health. Working alongside an ODC staff facilitator, you'll help create safe, inclusive spaces that encourage open conversation, emotional safety, and mutual respect. 

This role is ideal for someone with lived or professional experience of mental health who is confident working with groups and interested in supporting others. You’ll contribute to meaningful sessions that empower adults and indirectly benefit young people across Oxfordshire.

We ask all volunteers to be open, honest, and reflective about the skills they already bring, the areas they’d like to develop, and their current mental health and wellbeing so that we can support you to facilitate safely and sustainably.

This is a rewarding opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of young people, while being part of a collaborative, values-driven team. It’s also a great chance to develop your facilitation skills and gain hands-on experience in mental health psychoeducation. We provide full training, regular supervision, and ongoing support and we welcome applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Key Tasks

As a facilitator, your activities may include, but are not limited to:

• Being reliability, committing to agreed dates and tasks

• Co-facilitate engaging, structured group sessions for supportive adults in a community setting, alongside one of our staff facilitators

• Create a safe, inclusive and supportive group environment, encouraging participation, emotional safety, and mutual respect

• Managing the group alone for short periods and engaging in sensitive 1:1 conversations if the staff facilitator is briefly otherwise engaged.

• Undertake appropriate safeguarding training, be alert to safeguarding concerns, follow ODC’s safeguarding procedures, and report any concerns promptly to the designated safeguarding lead.

• Assist with setting up and packing down sessions, and help manage session resources as needed

• Take part in session debriefs, offering insights and feedback to support ongoing programme improvement

• Participate in relevant training and supervision, including safeguarding, ODC  policies, programme orientation, and ongoing reflective practice

• Work alongside ODC staff, upholding our values around co-production, youth voice, and mental health support

Optional Activities

• Support with session planning and preparation, contributing ideas and helping shape delivery in line with programme aims

• Support with programme administration and data entry, such as attendance logs, feedback forms or basic evaluation tasks

• Where appropriate and possible to share parts of your own lived experience journey

• Carry out 1:1 learning and support meetings with participants prior to programme delivery. 

Skills and Experience

We’re looking for volunteers who can bring some of the following skills and experience to the role. We don’t expect that you will meet every point — we value both professional and lived experience, and we offer training and support to help you grow and develop your skills.

• Working with adults in group settings

• Experience as a supportive adult to a young person struggling with their mental health

• Knowledge of mental health, emotional wellbeing, and youth voice

• Planning, organising and basic admin tasks

• Computer literate

• Working as part of a team and ability to reflect on your own practice

• Awareness of safeguarding principles 

• Lived experience of mental health challenges (this may include your own experience or supporting others)

• Professional expertise eg mental health, education, youth work 

What We Offer

• Training: Full training provided.

• Opportunities for development: We will support you to build confidence, grow your skills and gain valuable experience with this role.

• Regular Supervisions: Supportive check-ins to review your role and tasks.

• Wellness Action Plan: We prioritise volunteer well-being through personalised wellness plans.

• Make an Impact: Your involvement will significantly enhance our ability to provide services effectively and make a difference to the lives of young people in Oxfordshire.