Peer Support Volunteer Volunteer Roles

Role title: Peer Navigator Volunteer X 40 posts

Responsible to: Lived Experience and Community Development Manager

Hours: Available 4 - 15 hours per week (flexible)

Team: The Peer Pathway – The City and Hackney Wellbeing Network

Location: Remote working / 8-10 Tudor Road / 15a Homerton Row options available

We are looking for a volunteer with lived experience of Mental health to use their valuable insights to support other. This role aligns with the visions of Mind CHWF, The Wellbeing Network and Peer Pathway.

You will contact residents who have made a referral to the Wellbeing Network but are not eligible for our core service. This means that more people seeking support will be contacted, leaving less people facing their challenges alone. There will be a focus on supporting people most underserved by mainstream mental health services, including BAPOC & LGBTQ+ people. 

About Mind in the City, Hackney and Waltham Forest:

We are a multi-disciplinary provider of specialist mental health services and a part of the Mind Federation.

We promote both recovery from ill health for people with recurrent and enduring mental health difficulties and early intervention for those at risk of developing mental health issues, or who struggle with common mental health conditions.

We currently support around 5,000 people a year through a variety of services focusing on psychological, social, economic and workplace wellbeing, and support minoritised communities.

Our values are:

Connected: Creating a compassionate and supportive community.

Fair:  We strive for equity- no-one's needs should go unmet.

Brave: We walk with people, offering help by doing what works - proven or new

Working with Mind CHWF means you’ll be part of a dedicated, passionate, and professional workforce who cares about the work they do and make a real difference to the lives of the people in the City of London, Hackney, and Waltham Forest.

We are committed to actively becoming anti-racist in everything we do. This is a critical priority for Mind CHWF. We embrace diversity and understand that being an inclusive organisation that recognises different perspectives, will enable us to provide excellent services.

We are committed to ensuring all our employees are treated fairly and equitably at work and promoting equity in physical and mental health for all.

Those with lived experience of Mental Health are encouraged to apply.

Value-based Recruitment:

We know that for various reasons, not everybody who can successfully perform in a role, performs their best under traditional interview/selection procedures. We are therefore seeking ways to breakdown further barriers in our recruitment & selection process.

Shorted-listed candidates will be provided with some questions to help them prepare for the interview.

How to apply:

For more information on the vacancy and how to apply, click the ‘Apply’ button - Please note that we are unable to consider incomplete applications.

The closing date is by 24 May 2024, however, please do not delay applying as this advert may close before the stated deadline if we find a suitable applicant for the role.

Your privacy and the security of your data is our top priority. Please take a moment to read through our applicant’s privacy notice.

We are a volunteer-run organisation whose aim is to ensure that everybody impacted by borderline personality disorder is supported in their recovery. 

Peer support is about sharing your lived experience of mental health struggles with other people with the hope of providing, support, encouragement, and validation that you understand what they are going through, that they are not alone in their feelings and circumstance. We believe that peer support is an important part of the recovery journey, as it provides a space for support, shared understanding, helps reduce stigma and fosters motivation and hope. 

We run several online peer support groups each month for people living with borderline personality disorder and are seeking compassionate and empathetic people to co-facilitate the groups. All groups are facilitated by two peer support workers, and follow a semi-structured pattern. 

As a volunteer, you will receive comprehensive training, accessible online. We also provide ongoing supervision, support to ensure that you can effectively support others while prioritizing your own recovery. The training covers various areas such as peer support, communication, safeguarding, and facilitation skills.

Role description

• to co-facilitate a support group of 10-15 people on a fortnightly/monthly basis
• to provide support in a group peer support setting
• to share own experiences without taking away from the others persons current feelings and situation
• to use active listening and personal experiences to reassure and validate group members
• to enable and encourage service users to find out resources and local services
• to encourage wellbeing and recovery

Person specification

• Lived experience of mental health 
• Able to use own experiences openly while maintaining strong boundaries
• Access to a reliable internet connection, a computer with webcam, and a confidential space.
• Commitment to our aims and mission

Availability and Committment

We ask that you have availability 2-3 hours per month for a minimum of 6 months. Our groups are held on mid-week evenings and Sunday evenings. 

How to apply

Please submit a cover letter with your application, detailing your relevant experience. Please also indicate which specific group you are interested in co-facilitating if you have a preference. 

Diversity Statement

We are committed to building a team with a variety of backgrounds, skills and views. The more inclusive we are, the more people we can support. We welcome and encourage applications from all backgrounds. 

Please note that you must be a UK resident with the right to live and work in the UK. This role is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

Do you enjoying talking with people and helping them based on your life experiences?

Are you able to volunteer a few hours a week?

Yes? We’d love to hear from you.

What is knus?

knus is the UK’s first free, confidential, mental health peer support and coaching online chat service. knus offers mental health educational plans, relaxation experiences and live workshops.

What does knus mean? 'hug' in Danish.

Here’s some further information on what’s needed:

Are you over 18 and living in the UK?

You must be over the 18 years of age and live permanently in the UK.

Do you have a laptop?

A laptop and a quiet space to volunteer is essential.

How much time can you give?

A minimum of 3+ hours per week is required. We are flexible and like to work around you.

Do you like to learn?

We provide training for all volunteers that join us. Our peer support training is CPD accredited.  20-25 hours of volunteering training is required and is self led online.

If you’re interested head over to our website and we can have a chat or apply here.

Please note - all successful volunteers are required to pay the cost price of £20.60 for an Enhanced DBS check.  If you've got a current Enhanced DBS on the update service, this cost will not apply.

You must be a UK resident to apply for this role.

Amazing, giving, inspiring and awesome are just a few of the words we would use to describe our volunteers.

Our volunteers play an integral part in the services we provide and the people we support. If you are looking for a rewarding role where you will really make a difference whilst gaining experience along the way, then join us here at Rethink Mental Illness.

About the role

We are looking for Peer Group Facilitators (Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities) to support our Community Services in Bristol.

You will be based at St Pauls and, ideally will be able to commit one and a half hours per week to volunteering (14:30 to 16:00 on Wednesday's)

This role is dedicated to providing a safe space for people to discuss the impact of racism. You will be allowing the participants to lead the group and discuss change that could come about through different organisations - for example, how can organisations (mental health organisations/charities) change things to better support people.

You will receive training and regular supervision to ensure you feel confident in your role. You can read more about the benefits of volunteering on the full advert on our website.

About the service

Our service is dedicated to delivering a high-quality service that focuses on supporting individuals to achieve goals. The aim is to improve the lives and support independence for those living with a mental illness. The Bristol Services team includes a Service Manager, Recovery Coaches, a Digital Officer, a Group Development Coordinator, a Community Development Worker and a Peer and Volunteer Coordinator.

What you will be doing as a Peer Group Facilitator

• Engaging with group members
• Keeping the group focused
• Welcoming people into the space
• Facilitating the space and allowing participants to lead

What will make you a great fit for this role?

• Being non-judgmental and open minded
• Passionate about tackling racism
• Understanding the importance of confidentiality
• Being able to empathise

Who are we?

We’re Rethink Mental Illness, a leading charity provider of mental health services in England. We support thousands of people through our groups, services, policy, campaigns and advice and information. Our work supports us in delivering on our mission: “A better life for everyone severely affected by mental illness.”

We welcome applications from everyone, applicants with lived experience, those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning+ (LGBTQ+), people with a disability, or those from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds are actively encouraged to apply. We are proud to have also been awarded Disability Confident employer status. We have an ambition of becoming an anti-racist organisation and we recognise there is more to do in ensuring our recruitment is fair and inclusive, which is why we are recruiting new roles in helping us to achieve this.

Bipolar UK was originally formed in the 1980s as a local support system for the community by the community. Our first meeting was held in 1983 and since that day Bipolar UK has supported people living with the condition and their loved ones.  Our aim is to enable everyone affected by bipolar to live well.

Each year we support thousands of individuals through our range of peer support services, which include:

• Peer Support Groups (in-person and online)
• A call-back Peer Support Line
• Our eCommunity

In the years ahead, providing peer support services will remain central to everything we do. This vital work is only possible because of volunteers such as yourself.

How volunteers support us

We couldn’t exist without the amazing support of our dedicated team of volunteers. They help us by giving us key insights from our community. They also provide hands-on support so we can run a significant network of peer support groups and a one-to-one peer support line via telephone and email.

Thanks to the incredible collaboration between our staff team and our volunteers we currently empower approximately 1,000 people a month to stay well, and we have the ambition to reach thousands more.

Our commitment to volunteers:

We want you to get the most out of volunteering with us and we take our responsibility towards you very seriously.

 To support you, we will:

• Provide clear descriptions for our volunteering roles
• Treat volunteers fairly and in accordance with the Bipolar UK Equal Opportunities policy
• Ensure volunteers’ information is kept securely and in accordance with Bipolar UK Privacy policy, the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR
• Keep volunteers informed of relevant changes, including to policies and staff
• Provide appropriate training and support to encourage and develop volunteers in every role
• Work collaboratively with all our volunteers to improve the services we deliver, identifying training needs and providing additional learning
• Ensure our volunteering practices are compliant with current and relevant legislation
• Reimburse agreed out of pocket expenses in line with Bipolar UK’s policy and guidance
• Celebrate and recognise all our volunteers’ successes and ongoing contributions to the charity
• Support aspirations to upskill with relevant training and development

Training and development

All volunteers are given an induction and training relevant to their role before they begin volunteering so they can feel confident to carry out their tasks. Training is an ongoing commitment for both Bipolar UK staff and volunteers. Training sessions are usually held by the Bipolar UK team, although external training will be given whenever relevant and appropriate.

Who can volunteer?

As part of the volunteer recruitment process, we ask you to complete an application form. We will then invite you for an informal phone interview and ask you to provide two referees.

Roles within Bipolar UK are subject to an enhanced DBS check. The information gathered throughout this process helps us to make an informed decision about whether the volunteering role is right for you, as well as following our safeguarding procedures.

Skills and experience

We look for people who:

• Communicate well
• Enjoy teamwork
• Are able to adapt and willing to learn
• Are reliable, punctual and good at time management
• See situations with objectivity and compassion 
• All our volunteers must be 18 or older.

Bipolar UK will make sure that people are judged on their ability and potential, not on their background and situation. We will seek to treat people fairly, regardless of visible and non-visible differences such as mental health, health, gender, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religious beliefs or practices, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, disability, age, family/marital status, social background, pregnancy or potential pregnancy, caring responsibilities, spent criminal convictions or trade union affiliation.

We appreciate that these differences will contribute to diverse experiences of life, attitudes, values, and ways of thinking and communicating - and that these different perspectives can make a valuable contribution to our work.

What we ask of volunteers:

We ask that all volunteers commit to a minimum of two to four hours a week for our phone/email service or up to 4 hours per month for our support groups, for at least six months wherever possible.

We expect all volunteers to attend regular training as part of role development and progression, and to abide by our policies and guidelines. A commitment to our mission and values is imperative, along with a desire to make a difference to those affected by bipolar.  All volunteers represent the charity and must always remain professional when interacting with the public and external services.

Volunteers should:

• Have personal experience of bipolar if the role requires it
• Display empathy and understanding of the needs of others
• Understand and remain conscious of their own needs, including managing their own wellbeing
• Communicate effectively with the team
• Be always respectful of others, in line with Bipolar UK policies
• Have basic IT skills and computer literacy 

Our volunteering roles:

• Support Group Co-facilitator (online)
• Support Group Co-facilitator (in-person)
• Support Group Administrator
• Peer Support Line Volunteer
• Media Ambassador
• Fundraising Assistant
• Events Assistant

Minimum 6 months / 17.5 hours (various days & minimum 1 day per week)

Ref PER-233

Are you a proactive, collaborative and compassionate individual with an understanding of providing support, advocacy, advice and guidance and the ability to communicate this knowledge in a variety of ways? Looking for a highly rewarding volunteer opportunity?

If so, St Giles Trust has an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated Volunteer to join us as a Peer Advisor and to provide vital support, guidance and advice to our clients.

About St Giles Trust
An ambitious, well-established charity that helps people facing adversity to find jobs, homes and the right support they need. Central to our ethos is our belief that people with first-hand experience of successfully overcoming issues such as an offending background, homelessness, addictions and gang involvement, hold the key to positive change in others.

About this key role
Our successful candidate will initially meet clients and develop an action plan, ensuring you complete action plan paperwork, while also discussing other support needs and signposting, if required, to other agencies. We will also rely on you to provide mentoring for the client in a positive manner and to support placements to help clients reach their individual specific goals.

Working alongside all other agencies to build professional relationships and to look at additional support from other agencies is an essential part of this volunteer role, as are ensuring you follow all health and safety policies and procedures and liaising with – and keeping fully informed – the St Giles Peer Advisor Coordinator.

What we are looking for

• Be willing to undergo training for the role of Peer Advisor, including a Level 3 certificate in Advice and Guidance, policies and procedures induction, and additional specialist sessions appropriate to placement.
• The ability to write reports and action plans (training given).
• Able to work on own initiative and to fellow instructions when required.
• Have a sound understanding of the issues faced for the clients.
• The ability to calculate risk and implement safety procedures when engaging with clients.
• Excellent interpersonal, relationship-building and communication skills, both verbal and written.

In return, you can expect a generous flexible working, a mentoring programme, an advice and counselling service, and much more.

Please note St Giles will guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria set out in the Job Description for the vacancy.

As an organisation that works with children and adults at risk we are committed to safeguarding, protecting and promoting the safety of our clients and successful applicants will be conducting an Enhanced Adult & Children with Child Barred list DBS.

To apply, please visit our website via the ‘Apply’ button. 

Closing date: 11pm on 02 May 2024.

We are an equity and inclusion-confident employer. We welcome all applications and we particularly encourage applications from people of the global majority (black, brown, multi-heritage) and those who identify as disabled, neuroexpansive, neurodiverse, with any protected characteristics and/or social barriers or challenges. We value the empowering and informative impact that all lived experiences and diversity of thought can offer the organisation.

• To be the first point of contact for the Mind in Somerset in North Somerset in the Citizens Advice offices

• To provide emotional listening support sessions on a short-term basis

• To effectively signpost clients to longer-term support either through Mind in Somerset services or partner providers in the area

• To be able to work within your level of capability and training, identifying opportunities to link in with other support available.

• To maintain records on our computer system of all appointments attended

• Answer the telephone and support general administration including responding to e-mail queries. 

• To respond to email inquiries that may come through our main website offering virtual navigation to appropriate support.

• Providing service users with a signposting and information 

• Basic administrative support as required e.g. photocopying, scanning, and making phone calls.

• Effectively take and distribute messages to relevant project leads 

• To attend the organisation update meeting 

• Abide by health and safety guidelines and share responsibility for own safety and that of colleagues 

• To adhere to all volunteer policies of the organisation. 

• There may be other duties required of our volunteers from time to time. 

• To support the Community Day facilitator on a Friday afternoon in a creative session designed to reduce isolation and create opportunities for connectivity and conversation amongst Peers.

Become a GamCare Online Peer Supporter

Make a difference by using your own experiences

For over 25 years, GamCare has been there for people experiencing gambling harms, whether that be people who gamble themselves or someone impacted by someone else’s gambling. We offer support over the phone, face-to-face or online and our treatment is free, flexible and confidential.

We are currently recruiting for Online Peer Supporters, to provide one-to-one and group support to both individuals who gamble and those affected by someone else’s gambling. Using their own experiences of gambling-related harms, volunteers will support others digitally as part of our Online Support Services and will include email support as well as facilitating our Forum and Chatrooms.

Full training and ongoing support will be provided to enable you to use your lived experience to work with our team as an Online Peer Supporter, providing support to all of those affected by gambling.

We believe that peer support is essential in the recovery journey. It provides:

• Shared understanding
• Reduces stigma
• A non-judgemental environment
• Practical insights and tools
• Continued motivation and hope

Our online platforms are designed to provide social connection to those who could be isolated or feel they have no one else to talk to. People accessing our services have identified that receiving support from someone who has had similar experiences can really benefit them when overcoming the challenges they may face on their recovery journey. It also provides a sense of community and belonging and contributes to the long-term support of those accessing these services.

Training

A comprehensive training programme will be delivered by our Lived Experience Volunteering team to provide you with the skills and confidence to use your experiences to support others while protecting your own recovery. Training includes:

• Safeguarding
• Motivational interviewing
• Facilitation skills

Role Responsibilities

Online Peer Supporters will:

• Navigate and guide contacts through existing services at GamCare and the National Gambling Support Network.
• Use motivational interviewing skills while drawing from their own lived experience to provide a supportive, non-judgemental space for those affected by gambling harms.
• Facilitate discussions via our online support services, including:

Email – you will be paired with an individual for regular email correspondence (up to 3 emails per week for 6 months)
Chatrooms – you will facilitate group discussions and supporting conversation between people at various stages of recovery
Forum – you will initiate discussions, respond to posts, and provide encouragement, signposting and support to forum users

• Help individuals set aims and goals to move to a more positive, sustained recovery whilst also providing resources to support people with these plans.
• Recognise the purpose and remit of our service and signposting to other internal and external support where appropriate.

What can I expect from GamCare?

In return, GamCare will:

• Provide a full, comprehensive induction and training programme
• Give you access to a dedicated Volunteer Coordinator
• Offer and arrange 1:1 and group supervision
• Fully support your own wellbeing and recovery journey
• Give ongoing training and development opportunities
• Provide access to some internal job opportunities within our services team
• Provide a reference after 3 months of regular volunteering

Role Requirements

For any of our volunteering roles we ask that you have lived experience of gambling-related harms. This includes being affected by someone else’s gambling (friend or family member).

We ask that you’ve been in positive, sustained recovery for at least one year before volunteering with us.

This role is completely remote, so you’ll need access to a reliable internet connection, a computer and a confidential space.

For full role requirements, please see the Role Profile on our website.

Please note that this role is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Please do not let that deter you from applying as all applications will be considered.

Availability & Commitment

We ask that you have availability at a regular time for around 1-2 hours per week for a minimum of 6 months.

Before volunteering with us, you will need to complete a mixture of self-directed online training and live online group training sessions delivered by our Volunteer Coordinators over a period of approximately 4 weeks.

Full details of the induction, including the next available dates will be sent to you by a member of the team within one week of receiving your application.

We are recruiting for a Peer Mentor Volunteer to join our team in Athena Lewisham; the scope on this job involves….

Job Title: Peer Mentor Volunteer

Location: Athena Lewisham
Contract type: Voluntary, minimum of 6 months

Hours: 6-12 hours per week. Working pattern of 10am to 4pm once or twice a week from Monday to Friday. (Hours can be negotiated) 

We want kind and empathic people to work at Refuge, who believe in equality, diversity, and inclusion, are experts in their area of knowledge, want to make a positive difference and improve the lives of the women and children we support. 

This is an opportunity to volunteer with Refuge as a Peer Mentor, supporting women and children who are impacted by domestic abuse. You will work closely with victims of domestic abuse from the point of crisis to provide emotional and practical support whilst helping them to reduce levels of isolation. 

Closing date: 9am on 15 March 2024

Interview date: 28 March 2024

Benefits

Refuge offers a variety of exciting opportunities to learn, develop and grow in your career. We recognise the value everyone brings to the organisation to achieve our aims and are dedicated to developing and rewarding our staff. More details of our benefits can be found in Job Information Pack.

The Safe Space is a local hub for anyone who feels they are nearing crisis point. We are here to listen to what you need and work with you to help. This might be strategies to help you cope in the moment, a range of activities we provide free of charge, resources to take away or connecting you with practical local services. We offer face to face, telephone and video-conference support. As a part of this, we are looking for volunteers to offer peer led support to individuals who may access our service. This includes a variety of tasks, such as devising and facilitating peer led workshops with clients, supporting with 1:1 sessions, and completing administrative tasks.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has lived experience of mental health/social crisis
• Preferably have had experience working with people who experience poor mental health
• Are comfortable with co-producing and facilitating peer led workshops
• Might be willing to take over running the workshops by themselves over time
• Are willing to actively participate with clients 1:1 and in group settings
• Are able to take on any ad hoc admin/support responsibilities within the Safe Space Team

Time commitment and expenses:

• 5 hours per week, during our opening hours of 12–5pm.  Please indicate your preferred volunteering day(s) on your application.
• We will provide volunteers with an induction, training, and ongoing mentoring to support them in the role 
• Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed.

What's in it for the volunteer?

Volunteering at Mind is a fantastic opportunity to get involved with a nationally recognised charity, and volunteering in Safe Space is an opportunity to experience and get involved in crisis support. We provide initial and ongoing training, as well as plenty of opportunities for progression within the organisation. You will also be a part of a supportive team with great awareness of wellbeing and the mental health sector.

Role Description:

This role sits within our new mental health Prevention Hub - which is a drop-in service providing a safe and welcoming space for people who are feeling distressed, seeking support and advice for their mental health, there and then. This service is a 9 month pilot project and will initially operate 11am-7pm Monday-Friday, however there may be a need to cover weekends/late nights, depending on the need of our clients.

Staff within the service will provide person-centred, practical and emotional support, face to face or via telephone on a one-to-one or group basis to individuals experiencing mental health distress. This will consist of 1:1 support; de-escalating and providing interventions, signposting for specialised or longer-term support, and delivering collaborative self-management plans with clients to improve mental wellbeing. The aim of this service is to de-escalate, and provide holistic wellbeing plans.

We are looking for someone who

• Has lived experience of mental health challenges
• Are a non-judgemental and friendly individual
• To be able to provide a welcoming, authentic, and positive experience for all, being inclusive and embracing diversity
• To feel comfortable engaging with people with mental health challenges / difficult life experiences, by validating strengths and experiences and using empowering language to overcome negative self-talk
• Are empathic and understands the stigma / social bias's surrounding mental health
• Are willing to tap into their lived experiences and use their stories to inspire hope in others when appropriate
• Are comfortable with co-producing and co-facilitating peer led workshops
• To assist the Prevention Hub Coordinator with admin and planning
• Are able to take on any ad hoc admin/support responsibilities

Time commitment and expenses:

• Flexible hours between 11am-7pm Monday-Friday. We are looking for someone to commit to a minimum of at least 1 /2 days a week.
• We will provide volunteers with an induction, training, and ongoing mentoring to support them in the role
• Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed.

What's in it for the volunteer?

Volunteering at Mind is a fantastic opportunity to get involved with a nationally recognised charity. We provide initial and ongoing training, as well as plenty of opportunities for progression within the organisation. You will also be a part of a supportive team with great awareness of wellbeing and the mental health sector.

Role Description:

Nova Roots is a new out of hours community space for women 18+ leaving forensic mental health services, open 3 days a week; every Weds, Sat & Sun. We offer a safe, warm, non-judgemental social environment for women to build meaningful connections and have access to free activities and resources.

As a peer volunteer, your role will be to support individuals using a peer approach by co-facilitating peer-led workshops, offering emotional and social support. By doing this, it provides an opportunity for service users to develop and manage meaningful and purposeful choices in an independent and empowered way.

Please be aware that if you are invited to interview you will be asked to complete a self-declaration form covering your criminal record or any information that would make you unsuitable to work with the vulnerable parties associated with this role, i.e. vulnerable adults and/or children and young people.

It is not necessary to disclose anything at this time. Please do not include any such information when applying at this stage.

The amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975 (2013 & 2020) provide that certain spent convictions and cautions are 'protected' and are not subject to disclosure to employers, and cannot be taken into account.

Guidance and criteria on the filtering of these cautions and convictions can be found on the Ministry of Justice website.

We are looking for someone who

• Has lived experience of being in prison / mental health wards / rehab and recovery communities
• Are a non-judgemental and friendly individual
• To be able to provide a welcoming, authentic, and positive experience for all, being inclusive and embracing diversity
• To feel comfortable engaging with women with mental health challenges / difficult life experiences, by validating strengths and experiences and using empowering language to overcome negative self-talk
• Are empathic and understands the stigma / social bias's surrounding forensic leavers and their experiences
• Are willing to tap into their lived experiences and use their stories to inspire hope in others when appropriate
• Are comfortable with co-producing and co-facilitating peer led workshops
• To assist the Forensic Project Coordinator in the daily running of the Forensic Women’s hub
• Are able to take on any ad hoc admin/support responsibilities within the Forensic Women’s Hub

Time commitment and expenses:

• Flexible hours (shifts to be confirmed). Evening and Weekend availability is required. We are looking for someone to commit to a minimum of at least 1 day a week: Wed, Sat or Sun.
• We will provide volunteers with an induction, training, and ongoing mentoring to support them in the role
• Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed.

What's in it for the volunteer?

Volunteering at Mind is a fantastic opportunity to get involved with a nationally recognised charity, and volunteering in Safe Space is an opportunity to experience and get involved in crisis support. We provide initial and ongoing training, as well as plenty of opportunities for progression within the organisation. You will also be a part of a supportive team with great awareness of wellbeing and the mental health sector.

*This particular service has an emphasis on empowering female clients and working to improve the experiences of the women that the team work with, which means that we are only looking for volunteers who are female or female identifying. 

In this role, you will be supporting us with all or some of the following tasks:  Accompanying clients to attend appointments at the job centre, GP and other services  Accompanying clients on outings to the library, and other local community activities.  Supporting clients to access services over the phone and online  Supporting clients in a range of practical ways under the guidance of the Housing First worker.  Adhering to St Mungo’s Policies and Procedures at all times.  Promoting St Mungo’s work in an appropriate manner.  Actively promoting equality, diversity and inclusion among staff, fellow volunteers and clients.

As a Peer Volunteer you will be working alongside Senior staff and Crisis workers within Crisis Safe Space. Crisis Safe Space was co-designed by local people with experience of mental health difficulties, who wanted to create more support in the community rather than at hospital or other clinical services​. The service has been designed for people experiencing emotional distress who need immediate and short-term crisis prevention rather than intensive support from either an emergency or inpatient service​. We do not seek to define what a crisis is for those using our service, we simply aim to offer the support required on a person-by-person basis. As an alliance member of Open Mental Health, we work in close partnership with Second Step, Somerset Foundation Trust and other OMH partners.

Bringing your lived experience, you will have the desire to support and encourage others on their individual recovery journeys.  You will be able to clearly draw upon and share, your own experiences of mental health challenges and services in order to inspire, model, and inform others in similar situations and support them in finding their own path to recovery.

You will be providing a specially designed role within the Crisis Safe Space Team in either Yeovil or Taunton. As part of the wider team, you will start to build a trusting relationship with individuals while they are accessing the Crisis Safe Space and your role will be to meet and greet, assist with any enrolment/paperwork, and offer support with signposting and feedback. You will work alongside the Crisis Safe Space Team, meaning you will have access to constant support and guidance.

What tasks will be involved?

· Establishing a trusting and collaborative relationship with the service-user, working alongside a crisis worker within appointments to provide sensitive, collaborative, and non-judgemental support, offering you’re your own perspective and lived experience where appropriate. 

· Offering follow up and aftercare appointments to individuals who have completed their work with the Crisis Safe Space team.

· Completing feedback paperwork collaboratively with the service user at regular intervals following their appointment, compiling feedback to help develop an understanding of how the service is being received.

· Supporting family members who visit with their loved one, ensuring they feel supported and listened to whilst they wait, and ensuring that their experience is also validated.

· To identify additional community-based support networks and implementing group-based peer support events for users of the service.

· To link people to training, volunteering/employment activities.

· To maintain hope and optimism for the individual with high expectations for recovery, use lived experience to positively support the individual’s recovery.

· Providing practical information and signposting.

· Supporting the smooth and safe transfer into other services. 

· Showing understanding, acceptance and empathy based on shared experience.

· Supporting individuals to develop ideas for coping strategies and problem-solving skills.

· Help individuals identify their own hopes, dreams, and aspirations and to explore opportunities and ways to realise them.

Who should apply for this role?

We are looking for Peer Volunteers who have:

· Lived experience of mental health.

· Personal experience of recovery from mental health challenges.

· The desire and ability to share personal experiences of mental health and recovery to support, empower and bring hope to others.

· The capacity to manage their own mental health needs.

· An awareness of self-management resources and coping strategies.

· An ability to empathise with others and form trusting relationships.

· A non-judgemental approach and an ability to maintain appropriate boundaries.

· Good listening and communication skills, reliability and good time keeping.

· An ability to take responsibility for your own self-care and willingness to utilise the support and supervision provided by Deputy Project Lead.

Where and when will I volunteer?

The Crisis safe Space is an out of hours service open daily between the hours of 17:30 and 23:00. We welcome applications to those who can commit to a minimum of 1 shift per week.

What support will I get?

Prior to starting your volunteer position, you will complete a comprehensive training programme with our partner agency, Watch CIC, who are specialists in developing Peer Volunteer relations.

Once in role, you will be supported by both the Deputy to the Project Lead the Project Lead who will provide support as and when needed, alongside your colleagues on shift.  

Is a DBS Check required for this role?

YES, a DBS Check (Disclosure & Barring Service) is required for this role. You will be supported by the Project Lead.  Any disclosures will be discussed on a case-by-case basis and will not automatically stop you from being involved.