Mental wellbeing facilitator volunteer volunteer roles

We are recruiting for a volunteer who would like to play a role in helping others to express themselves through writing. Would you like to support others to use their imagination to portray a message?

Creative writing is a great way to express yourself using your own creativity and imagination through story telling or poetry. It is an opportunity to reflect on your own experiences and put it down on paper. Creative writing has been shown to improve emotional and mental well-being. Through creative writing, we can gain insight into our emotions, develop self-expression and communication skills, cultivate empathy and understanding of others, boost our imagination and creativity.

What you will be doing

• Lead and facilitate a weekly Creative Writing Group, encouraging participants to explore their thoughts and feelings through writing exercises, prompts, and storytelling.
• Guide a subsequent Feelings Forum where participants can share and discuss emotions sparked by the writing session or current experiences in a respectful and supportive atmosphere
• Foster an inclusive, non-judgmental environment where all voices are heard and valued
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to the organisation’s safeguarding and mental health protocols
• Prepare session materials and adapt activities to meet the needs of diverse participants

The skills you need

• Prepare session materials and adapt activities to meet the needs of diverse participants
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with sensitivity to mental health challenges
• Ability to facilitate group discussions and manage diverse emotional responses constructively
• Patience, empathy, and a non-judgmental approach.
• Training or experience in mental health, counselling, social work, or a related field is advantageous but not essential

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications.
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards, outings, celebration, and social events for our volunteers to get together and have some fun; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering.

The purpose of the role is to design and facilitate gardening activities at our community allotment with refugees and people seeking asylum, alongside our other gardening volunteers.

The role includes:

• planning and facilitating seasonal gardening activities with small groups
• supporting participants to bring their own ideas, work independently or lead their own activities where appropriate, providing support and guidance as needed
• fostering a positive culture of support and community
• raising any safeguarding or support concerns with our People Support Team
• setting up/packing down around sessions, generally contributing to the smooth running of sessions
• maintaining tools
• contributing to overall running of the charity (attending monthly online meetings, taking on organisational tasks)
• maintaining participant confidentiality
• attending training sessions as needed

At the garden we run gardening, art and craft activities. Through these sessions we maintain our beautiful community garden, grow and harvest vegetable/fruit crops and create wildlife and social areas. We always try to make sure there are a range of activities to choose from to fit with a range of energy/ability levels. All new ideas for activities to do at the garden are welcome!

Our sessions are on Tuesday mornings and afternoons and Friday mornings

Gardening expertise is not necessary for this role, although it is always very welcome.

As this is an on site role we will consider applicant who are based in Greater Manchester,UK. 

West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse providers of mental health, community and social care in the UK.

Our football for wellbeing hub provides a safe, inclusive and wellbeing space in the community to improve mental and physical health in collaboration with QPR FC, Everyone Active and FootyAddicts Company.

As Football Session Helper Volunteer you will help the facilitator/s with pre-session tasks and delivery of exciting football sessions while adhering to the FA code of conduct.  We are currently seeking applications to support our newly launched  football sessions and potentially coach/manage our Football Club’s (West London NHS Peer FC) team if an FA qualified coach or willing to get the qualification. 

In return we will offer you:

• A full induction including support to access the FA free training
• On-going support, guidance and supervision from a member of staff
• The opportunity to develop your personal, professional and football coaching skills
• The opportunity to get involved in other areas of The Trust’s work, including NHS careers
• Reimbursement of reasonable expenses
• The opportunity to contribute to our mission

Are you creative? Would you like to support others to express their emotions through arts and crafting?

Art plays a valuable role in mental wellbeing with research showing that crafting, regardless of the medium you use can boost your mood, self-confidence and reduce stress overall. Taking part in art-based activities increases our resilience and engages us in the here and now. You will be supporting people to express their emotions, provide a time for people to relax and feel proud of their final art products!

What you will be doing

• To prepare arts and craft sessions, involving individuals in the planning process where possible
• Inspire and motivate individuals to develop their arts and craft skills, assisting them in the creation of their projects and supporting them to brainstorm and use their own initiative
• Encourage individuals to continue independent activities

The skills you need

• Experience of arts and/or crafts either in a professional, educational, or personal level
• Able to collaborate with individuals to plan an art group session and facilitate confidently
• A calm and patient manner
• Ability to provide a trusting, open, kind-hearted atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
• An effective communicator with a patient and sympathetic nature

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun.

Are you a qualified Yoga Instructor who would enjoy facilitating weekly sessions to help individuals with their general well-being. This is an opportunity for you to share techniques with others.

Practicing yoga and mindfulness aim to quiet the mind in order to cultivate a deeper connection to and understanding of oneself. They both help with breathing techniques, pay attention to bodily sensations and learn to accept reality as it is in that moment.

What you will be doing

• Design session plans enabling all group members to increase fitness, suppleness and help them relax
• Teach the group yoga postures and breathing techniques which allow a range of mixed ages and abilities to participate
• Inspire and motivate people to attend and get involved in the group activities where possible and encourage the group to help design future sessions
• Keep a record of attendees, provide feedback and report any concerns to the staff team

The skills you need

• Skilled and qualified Yoga Instructor
• Good communication skills
• Ability to provide a supportive and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications.
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards, outings, celebration, and social events for our volunteers to get together and have some fun; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering.

Do you have a passion for beauty and wellness? We are looking for a volunteer to facilitate weekly groups that empower participants to explore aspects of well-being, improve self-esteem, and learn self-care practices! We are looking for a face-to-face volunteer up to 2 hours a week who is available on Tuesdays at 12pm.

What you will be doing

• Facilitate engaging and supportive weekly group sessions that empower participants to explore aspects of well-being, improve self-esteem, and learn self-care practices in a safe and inclusive environment.
• Plan and organise different activities such as sessions on make-up techniques, hair styles, nails, and general self-care practices.
• Encourage service user participation
• Purchase and bring refreshments and snacks (you will be given the money to do this)
• Keep records and feedback important information to your supervisor.

The skills you need

• Knowledge on self-care practices
• Good communication skills
• Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun.

1. WHY THIS ROLE EXISTS
Release Therapy for Women provides safe, therapeutic spaces for women across Sussex. Our groups are the heart of what we do, and our Therapeutic Group Support Assistants play a crucial role in ensuring these sessions run smoothly.
You will work alongside a Lead Facilitator to create a warm, inclusive, and physically comfortable environment.
2. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Creating a Welcoming Space
* Environment Setup: Arrive early to set up the therapeutic space, ensuring it is tidy, welcoming, and comfortable.
* Sensory Awareness: Pay attention to lighting, noise levels, and seating arrangements to support our neurodivergent participants and those with social anxiety.
* The "Warm Welcome": Greet participants as they arrive, particularly focused on making new members feel at ease and helping to serve drinks.
Supporting the Session
* Facilitation Assistance: Support the Lead Facilitator with practical tasks (handing out materials, managing refreshments, or keeping time).
* Participant Support: Provide a calm, grounded presence. While you are not the primary therapist, you may offer one-to-one emotional support (e.g., sitting with someone who needs a moment outside the circle).
* Closing the Space: Assist in packing away and briefly debriefing with the Facilitator after participants have left.
Inclusion & Data
Actively model inclusive behaviour, ensuring women of all ages, faiths, and sexual orientations feel safe.
* Equality Monitoring: Assist in the distribution of our anonymous Equalities Monitoring forms. In line with our 2026 vision, you will help explain to participants that their data helps us secure the funding needed to keep our groups free for everyone.

3. PERSON SPECIFICATION
Knowledge and Experience
* Counselling Foundation: You have previous counselling experience or have undertaken introductory counselling training.
* Therapeutic Understanding: An understanding of (or a strong interest in) the group therapeutic process and the importance of boundaries and confidentiality.
* Inclusive Values: A deep commitment to equality and a passion for making therapeutic spaces accessible to marginalised groups.
Skills and Abilities
* Empathy & Presence: A calm, grounded, and non-judgemental approach to supporting women in distress.
* Reliability: The ability to commit to a full 6–10 week group cycle to provide continuity of care for our participants.
* Communication: Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with a Lead Facilitator.
* Local Insight: Ideally, you will live in or have strong ties to Brighton, Worthing, or Shoreham/Southwick.

* This post is only open to female applicants as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

The successful candidate will join a highly regarded women-led, women-centred, and trauma-informed charity.

4. WHAT WE OFFER YOU

* Professional Growth: Gain hands-on experience in a therapeutic community setting.
* Support & Supervision: Access to optional clinical supervision when needed to discuss your experiences and wellbeing.
* Inclusive Culture: Be part of a diverse volunteer team (19% neurodiverse and 25% ethnically diverse).
* Training: Induction into our therapeutic model, safeguarding, and cultural competency.
* Expenses: Reimbursement of local travel costs.
5. RECRUITMENT & ONBOARDING
* Trial Period: Participation in one session as an observer/assistant before a full commitment.
* Safeguarding: This role is subject to an enhanced DBS check and a requirement to attend our annual safeguarding training.

Our Second Home is a youth movement that empowers migrants and refugees to flourish in the place that they call home. Our overnight activity camp for young people aged 14-18 is a chance for young people to come together and have five days of fun and excitement, supported by a dynamic and dedicated team of leaders and staff.

An OSH Leader is a supportive adult, a role model, and someone young people can feel safe being themselves around. It’s about creating a warm, fun, and consistent presence during residentials — helping young people with refugee and migrant backgrounds feel welcomed, included, and at home.

Youth Leaders for this project will be responsible for facilitating the camp, and will be directly in contact with, and responsible for, the participants. During the camp they will be ‘on duty’ full-time, meaning that they will spend the whole time with the participants, including at meals.

THIS ROLE IS ONLY FOR PEOPLE LIVING IN THE UK. We will arrange Zoom interviews with applicants separately.

Responsibilities:

• Interacting and forming a bond with the participants
• Creating and running fun and engaging activities for the participants
• Looking after the participants’ welfare, and ensuring that they feel cared for and secure
• Managing the participants’ behaviour and setting clear boundaries

Expectations and requirements:

• All applicants must be interviewed and be willing to provide references on request.
• Youth Leaders must set a positive example of behaviour and involvement for all participants, and adhere to the volunteer guidelines.
• Youth Leaders may be required to prepare activities for participants at the camp. If asked, this must be completed in plenty of time to allow any materials or equipment to be sourced.
• Applicants should be aged 20 or above.
• Applicants must be eligible for DBS clearance (no criminal record that prevents applicants from working with children)
• Youth Leaders must raise any safeguarding concerns swiftly and follow safeguarding procedures
• Youth Leaders must follow all Our Second Home policies and procedures of (which will be explained at the Camp training days).
• Anyone attending an OSH residential must test negative for COVID-19 prior to attending the programme, regardless of whether they have received a vaccine or not.

Essential skills:

• Flexibility, adaptability and ability to improvise
• Ability to build connection quickly with peers and young people
• Ability to work in a team and communicate effectively
• High level of organisation
• High levels of empathy and patience
• Awareness and sensitivity that some participants might be suffering from trauma

Additional desired skills:

• Experience working with and/or caring for young people aged 14-18
• Experience working with refugees and/or asylum seekers
• Experience working with young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities
• Language skills: Arabic, Dari, Pashto, Tigrinya, Somali
• First Aid training
• Creative or artistic abilities
• Sports leadership
• Ability to prepare fun and engaging activities for young people

We particularly encourage applications from those who have lived experience of being a refugee.

Please ensure you are available to come to all the following events - specific dates can be found on the application form:

• Training
• Pre-Residential Prep Day (on site)
• Residential, in full
• Feedback & thank you afternoon

QUOTES:

• “Having the professional [welfare] support made me feel very support and more comfortable with the work” – BT
• “The atmosphere of fun, respect, care, and community is what made the young people so comfortable and connected” – BT
• “The leaders were all awesome – it was incredible to work in a team so full of hard working, intelligent, experienced people” – BT
• “Seeing the kids bursting out of their shells and that being the norm rather than just exceptions was just incredible.” – CA
• “It honestly surpassed anything I could have hoped for” – LK

Structure:

Youth Leaders will be supported by the Welfare Support Lead(s), who will be their main contact in the build to and throughout the camp. The Welfare Support Lead(s) will run team meetings at the end of each day and be on hand to advise and manage the Youth Leaders.

Are you committed to supporting the emotional wellbeing of survivors and marginalised communities through culturally informed therapeutic practices? Tell My Truth and Shame the Devil C.I.C. is seeking a skilled Clinical Lead, Cultural & Emotional Therapy Liaison to join our founding volunteer team. This critical role ensures that all clinical and therapeutic support offered to members is safe, effective, culturally responsive, and aligned with the CIC’s survivor-led, values-driven mission.

As Clinical Lead, you will provide professional oversight, guidance, and liaison for all cultural and emotional therapy initiatives within the organisation. You will work closely with membership, engagement, and programme teams to ensure services are trauma-informed, culturally competent, and responsive to the needs of survivors, young people, and marginalised communities. This role blends strategic leadership, operational management, and community-facing support to build safe, transformative, and accessible therapy systems.

Experience Qualification and Requirements

Essential / Highly Valued Experience

• Professional qualification and current registration in Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology, Psychotherapy, Counselling, or a closely related discipline (e.g. HCPC, BACP, UKCP, BABCP, or equivalent)
• Demonstrable experience providing trauma-informed therapeutic support, with strong understanding of how trauma, culture, identity, and systemic factors affect emotional wellbeing
• Proven ability to deliver or advise on culturally competent practice with diverse cultural, ethnic, faith-based, and marginalised communities
• Sound knowledge of safeguarding frameworks, risk management, and ethical practice within clinical, voluntary, and community-based settings
• Working understanding of GDPR and data protection principles, particularly relating to confidential health and safeguarding information
• Experience supervising, mentoring, or providing reflective practice to clinical practitioners, facilitators, or volunteers (including non-clinical staff delivering emotional support)
• Ability to assess risk, respond calmly to complex or sensitive situations, and provide clear, proportionate clinical guidance
• Strong organisational skills, balancing strategic oversight with operational input in a volunteer or resource-limited environment
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to explain clinical concepts to non-clinical audiences and work collaboratively across teams
• Experience working with survivors of abuse, trauma, exploitation, or systemic harm, and/or within grassroots, community-focused, or voluntary sector organisations
• High levels of professional integrity, emotional intelligence, cultural humility, and commitment to inclusive, ethical care

Desirable / Can Be Developed

• Role assumes senior-level competence; scope may evolve with organisational growth

Qualifications

• Current professional qualification and registration with a recognised regulatory body (as listed above)

Main Responsibilities/ Key Duties

• Provide strategic and hands-on clinical oversight to ensure the effective delivery of culturally informed emotional and therapeutic services. Ensure that programmes are safe, ethical, inclusive, and responsive to the diverse needs of members.
• Oversee the planning, delivery, and evaluation of emotional wellbeing and therapeutic services, ensuring that interventions are culturally appropriate, trauma-informed, and aligned with the organisation’s mission and values. This includes supporting programme design, session structures, referral pathways, and evaluation frameworks to promote positive member outcomes.
• Liaise closely with therapists, facilitators, programme leads, and safeguarding officers to ensure consistent alignment with clinical governance, ethical frameworks, safeguarding policies, and professional standards. Provide expert consultation on complex cultural considerations, trauma impacts, emotional safety, and effective engagement strategies, particularly for members from marginalised or under-served communities.
• Support the recruitment, onboarding, training, and supervision of therapy facilitators and volunteers. Advising on role suitability, contributing to training content, offering reflective supervision, and promoting best practice in boundaries, self-care, and ethical decision-making.
• Review and approve therapy protocols, session guidelines, risk assessments, and safeguarding procedures, ensuring they are clinically sound, culturally sensitive, and proportionate to the needs and risks of the service users. Ensure that all therapeutic activity complies with relevant professional regulatory standards, safeguarding legislation, and data protection requirements, including GDPR.
• Monitor member wellbeing outcomes, qualitative feedback, and service impact data to inform continuous improvement, learning, and programme development. This includes identifying trends, risks, or unmet needs and advising on appropriate service adaptations.
• As the primary clinical point of contact, the role holder will provide professional oversight for complex cases, escalations, or member concerns that require clinical judgement, risk management, or safeguarding intervention, working collaboratively with internal teams and external professionals where required.

What This Role Offers You:

• Leadership experience in shaping culturally-informed clinical and therapeutic services.
• Opportunity to influence the wellbeing and recovery of survivors and vulnerable community members.
• Personal and professional growth through working in a values-led, trauma-informed, and survivor-centred environment.
• The satisfaction of building safe, effective, and transformative support systems that align with community needs.

What This Role Is Not For:

• Individuals seeking traditional, hierarchical clinical roles without collaborative or community-facing responsibilities.
• Those unwilling to work within a survivor-centred, anti-capitalist, and culturally responsive framework.
• People expecting rigid structures or hands-off supervision—this role requires active leadership, decision-making, and engagement.

If you are ready to guide, shape, and oversee culturally-informed therapeutic support while making a tangible social impact, we want to hear from you. Apply now and become a key leader in building safe, transformative systems for survivors and communities.

A Final Word

Care is always about people, never just processes.

Trust grows through compassion, professionalism, and accountability.
Confidentiality is part of safeguarding, not an afterthought.
Respect, cultural awareness, and emotional safety are what sustain meaningful therapeutic relationships.

If you are over 18 and have been impacted by suicide loss, you could help make a difference.

• Have you been impacted by suicide?
• Do you have a desire to help others?
• Are you comfortable with listening to and supporting people with similar experiences to your own?

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SoBS) is the leading charity providing peer-to-peer support for adults who have been bereaved or impacted by suicide. We believe that no one should face their loss alone, so we create safe spaces across the UK for people to share and process their grief.

We are seeking compassionate volunteers looking to start up a new peer support group in Aberystwyth.

Who are we looking for?

• Over the age of 18.
• Bereaved by suicide over 18 months ago and confident in your own progress. The impacts of a death by suicide are far-reaching - this could have been a family member, friend, colleague, client, or even a stranger.
• Passionate about supporting others in your community.
• Friendly, trustworthy, and approachable, with good active listening skills.
• Respectful, sensitive, and non-judgmental approach to survivors.
• Comfortable in supporting conversations and managing group dynamics.
• Good communication skills – both spoken & written English.
• A commitment to support the group, your team, and the surrounding community.

How do groups work?
Each group is facilitated by a team of three volunteers who have all been bereaved by suicide themselves. Their role is facilitating meetings, group administration, fundraising and communication for the group as a team. All volunteers are provided with full training before they begin the role and receive support from head office throughout their volunteering journey.

SoBS groups usually meet once a month for around 2 hours, and provide people with an opportunity to listen, share, ask questions, and connect with others in a safe and non-judgemental space.

There is no set structure to a meeting – people are free to talk and listen as much or as little as they want. Topics discussed vary from month to month but often include people sharing their story, how they are feeling, what has happened since their last group visit, questions about coroners and discussions about common challenges such as flashbacks, supporting children or facing neighbours. Established groups may occasionally organise guest speakers, go on walks, or arrange craft workshops.

What will you do?

• Facilitate group sessions – meeting survivors, starting off conversations, allowing space for people to talk (if they want to), and looking out for others.
• Administration & communication – managing enquiries from survivors, providing information and signposting where needed, submitting information to the national office.
• Provide signposting to head office, as well as other local charities and services.

What do we provide?

• Robust training and a commitment to development.
• Annual volunteer assembly: talks, forums, guest speakers, celebrations, and socials.
• Peer support from over 500 other volunteers with regular opportunities to meet and share ideas.
• Regular check-ins & catch-up sessions with a dedicated Volunteer Coordinator for your region, and our team in the national office.
• Travel & group expenses for your volunteering role.
• Coverage by SoBS’ Public Liability Insurance whilst you’re carrying out the role.

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide welcomes people of all backgrounds, abilities, and identities. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments that enable volunteers with disabilities to access our opportunities.

As a group facilitator, you will play a vital role in supporting others bereaved by suicide. If you are passionate about supporting others through their grief journey, please do apply.