Mental Health Volunteer Roles in South East

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.

Social Anxiety Alliance UK aim to provide information and resources for individuals suffering from social anxiety and social phobia.

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape and develop the UK’s first dedicated Social Anxiety charity. 

We are ideally looking for trustees with previous charity trustee experience or with experience working in the mental health or charity sector. Howerver if you beleive you have the passion, time and skills to help us take the charity forward please feel free to apply.

Trustees will typically lead on a particular project depending on their skill set e.g. editorial content, web site development, social media, networking with other charities, policies and procedures, funding/grants, human resources, writing articles for the website, review of online social anxiety courses and resources.

Other opportunities are available depending on your experience and skill set.so please see the charity website and use the feedback form if you have other skills the charity might need.

We are a friendly board, getting involved will mean that you can work with us on particular projects that suit your skills. We hold trustee board meetings for approximately 60 minutes each month and work on additonal projects as time allows.

As part of our board you will support and shape our work and strategic direction, as well as help us achieve our aim of helping people who experience social anxiety. 

To monitor the financial administration of the organisation and report to the Board of Directors at regular intervals on its state of financial health, in  line with best practice, and in compliance with the governing document  and legal requirements.

Can you spare 3 hours or more a week to help us provide a confidential helpline for people with mild to moderate mental health problems, drug or alcohol problems? You will be part of a dynamic team of volunteers.

We answer calls predominantly from people in Surrey from 9 am to 7pm Monday to Friday:

• Providing listening and emotional support that is confidential.
• We are non judgemental and signpost to other agencies.
• Refer callers into treatment services.

No qualifications are needed as full training will be provided, but you will need a friendly and calm telephone manner with the ability to communicate effectively. We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds.

Our next training course is taking place online on 20th April and 27th April 2024.

Shift times are 9am to 12 noon, 12 to 3pm, 3 to 6pm and 6 to 7pmfts start at 9am). We require a minimum of one shift per fortnight. The Helpline is operated from your own home, at no cost to you.

Men Who Talk is a UK registered charity, running twice monthly online peer-to-peer support groups for men aged 18+ across the UK. The groups take places between 7:00 - 8:30pm during week nights.

Our groups are supportive spaces for men aged 18+ to come and talk openly about what's on their mind. All groups are free to attend and follow the evidence based model of peer support. 

Volunteers are required to be online from 6:45pm to 8:45pm, and are required to facilitate around 1 group per month. Volunteers are asked to commit to an a minimum of 6 months of volunteering in the initial stage. 

All groups are facilitated by 2 facilitators, and follow a semi-structured pattern.

We are looking for passionate men with some experience of groups facilitating or working in mental health settings to come join us as facilitators. Experience in using online platforms such as zoom is essential. 

A degree in psychology is preferred but not an essential requirement.

Why Join MWT? 

Men Who Talk is an exciting, fast growing charity, creating new spaces for men to talk openly about what's on their mind. 

We have a diverse team full of talented and passionate individuals who are committed to changing the face of mens mental health across the UK. 

As well as the opportunity to join the organisation at an exciting stage of it's development, volunteers also have the opportunity to develop their own skills and have regular chances to feed into the creative and strategic development of the organisation. 

PLEASE NOTE: We are only able to accept applications from individuals who already have the right to live and work in the UK. 

Could you help prevent loneliness and isolation for people living with BPD and become a befriender?

• Do you have 1-2 hours a week to give to a service user suffering from BPD and feeling isolated or lonely?
• Can you offer support, through a listening ear and be a positive influence in a service users life to help build self-esteem and confidence?
• Will you enable our service users to benefit from knowing someone is there to listen, be a friend, and check in on their wellbeing?

If you can answer ‘yes’ to these questions, then we would love to hear from you!

Key responsibilities

Your role will include, but is not restricted to the following tasks:

• Carry out weekly checks with the service users you are supporting, this may be over the telephone or via Teams.
• Engage the service user and help empower them
• Help service users to rediscover social skills and confidence by building up and maintaining a close relationship
• Keep accurate records of calls and sessions
• Report any concerns to the Volunteer Coordinator

Skills required

No qualifications or volunteering experience is required, but the following skills are essential:

• Be aged over 18
• Must have lived in UK for 2+ years
• A non-judgemental approach
• Good listening and communication skills
• Empathetic and compassionate
• Reliable and trustworthy
• Respect confidentiality
• Be able to work on own initiative
• Ability to build effective working relationships with service users
• A DBS check and 2 references are required for this role

What we offer

• a comprehensive induction program
• training on safeguarding, confidentiality, health and safety and other training relevant to the role
• ongoing support and supervision
• the chance to meet other volunteers and take part in volunteer events
• reimbursement of pre-agreed expenses

We have an exciting opportunity for someone with experience in social media to help create and deliver engaging and informative content across a range of platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.

The aim will be to highlight the life-changing services we provide to people with BPD, while encouraging prospective volunteers and supporters to get involved by fundraising or donating time.

What you will be doing

• researching and creating a range of content (text, images and videos) for different channels including Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok and YouTube
• identifying opportunities to reach new audiences and raise our social profile
• engaging with followers and encouraging conversations
• running online campaigns
• promoting services, projects and volunteering opportunities

Who we are looking for

• experience of using, or a demonstrable passion for, social media including Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok and YouTube
• strong communication/writing skills
• professional when communicating online
• basic photography or video skills would be a bonus but not essential (full training will be given on using Canva)

What you'll receive

• comprehensive induction and ongoing support
• the chance to be involved in our work and make a real difference to people in need
• valuable experience in social media, PR, marketing and communications

DASH is currently seeking to recruit a number of passionate individuals into the role of charity trustee!

DASH is a small local registered charity, launched in 2006, in response to a shared concern for the unmet needs of autistic adults living in Swindon. The purpose and determination was to help improve the quality of life of people affected by autism.

Our experienced staff offer information and advice concerning a variety of topics, including benefits, employment, health and wellbeing and finance. We are able to signpost to other appropriate services if necessary.

A post diagnosis ‘journey’ offers 1:1 and small group sessions, where through discussion, individuals are enabled to better understand their ‘own version’ of autism and how it affects them in their everyday life.

Our mission is to be an accessible charity at the heart of our community, supporting, encouraging and inspiring autistic adults.

As a trustee, you will take part in shaping and directing the charity. You will help to ensure that the work we do strategically and operationally meets the needs of those we support.

The role is voluntary, although we will pay all reasonable expenses.

We welcome applications from all individuals as we seek to broaden the diversity and skills of our trustees. Appointments will be made on merit alone.

We are particularly keen to recruit members of the community who have one or more of the following:

· Knowledge and/or experience of autism

· Expertise in Marketing or PR

· Expertise in Finance

· Experience in Health or Social Care

You will need to be able to commit to attending Board Meetings; currently these are held every two months, usually on a weekday evening between 6.00pm and 8.00pm, via Zoom. Typically, this requires a commitment of five to six hours per month.

If you are passionate about supporting individuals and organisations to provide vital services, then being a trustee can be extremely rewarding.

To find out more about joining the Board and to help you decide whether you feel you are able to commit to this role, please contact Co Chair of Trustees David Ahern.

As a Digital Champion you will provide support to our clients who struggle with IT. You will need to understand the importance of digital literacy to our clients. There will be a ‘referral’ system from keyworkers and staff members who will identify clients in need of digital support. In addition, you will provide support to our online Forward Fuse platform and Kaizala (digital messaging app).

To be successful in this role you will have excellent communication skills, IT skills and a true passion and commitment to supporting vulnerable people to address their support needs and fulfill their full potential. The Forward Trust is committed to tackling ‘digital exclusion’ within our client base.

To note: If you have a preference for Fuse moderation or Digital support, please mention this in your volunteer application form.

Accountabilites 

Service Delivery – Client support tasks

· Provide remote and/or in-person support for clients who struggle with IT.

· Helping to build clients confidence and self-esteem with using popular digital technology.

· Raising awareness of online services and the support available locally.

· Meeting clients within the community to enable them to access digital devices such as tables and PC’s.

· Build a trusting and supportive relationship with clients.

· Listen to the clients concerns and work with them to overcome those. 

Forward Fuse

Fuse is an online ‘learning and knowledge’ platform. It combines elements of social media with e-learning.

· Supporting the Forward Fuse platform as a moderator outside of normal staff working hours – monitoring content and comments for breaking of the Ground Rules, and encouraging engagement.

Kaizala

Forward successfully used the digital messaging app Kaizala (similar to WhatsApp) to help members of the Forward Connect service keep in touch with each other and share support while face-to-face meetings weren’t possible.

• Supporting Kaizala as a moderator outside of normal staff working hours – monitoring comments for breaking of the Ground Rules, and encouraging engagement.

Additional tasks

· Support with web coding (if you have relevant experience)

· Engage in support and supervision provided.

· To keep a good record of your work, including reporting verbally to their supervisor and completing relevant forms.

This may vary depending on your specific team and time commitment.

Expenses

· Travel expenses (within 20 miles of the service)

· Up to £6.50 lunch expenses.

· Any additional expenses will need to be pre-agreed with placement supervisor.

Training & Induction 

Induction training will be provided to the volunteer and will include the following:

o E-Learning:  

- Data Protection/GDPR/PECR

- Safeguarding – Knowledge

- Health & Safety – Knowledge

- Volunteer Induction – Organisational Awareness

o Digital Unite – available e-learning module and resources to help structure support sessions with clients.

· A full induction to your team including placement specific policies and procedures.

· Additional volunteer training will be discussed and offered according to the need of the volunteer in placement.

Qualities 

Below is a list of the qualities that we are looking for from volunteers:

· Must be over 18 years of age.

· Ability to use computers and IT equipment.

· Confident to pass on digital skills in a friendly and supportive manner.

· Content Moderator – ability to evaluate content in line with content and policies.

· Web coding (preferable) – specific information needed.

· To have the ability to engage effectively with the client group.

· To have good verbal and written communication skills.

· To have a clear understanding and maintain a high degree of confidentiality.

· To have a clear understanding of how to set and maintain boundaries.

· To be able to communicate and actively listen to client’s concerns.

· To be able to treat clients in a positive and non-judgemental manner.

· To be committed to own learning and development.

Checks required for the role 

· Reference (this may be from a keyworker, volunteer supervisor, tutor or sponsor if you are not able to provide a work reference)

· Enhanced DBS Check

You will support our Administrators and front line workers with a range of administrative functions to support them with their daily activities and workload. This will give you the opportunity to be involved with a variety of administrative duties including filing, writing notes and supporting the front line workers with the administrative preparations of their group delivery and updating of their client case notes.

This is a fantastic opportunity to use your organisational and administrative skills while gaining an understanding of the roles and support function of our front line services.

The volunteer role will be subject to prison vetting and security checks. This is in addition to what is required for community working.

Accountabilities 

Service Delivery – Client support tasks

· Support administrative staff and front line workers with data entry onto database system.

· Provide assistance at reception/in admin office answering and taking messages and transferring phone calls.

· To assist with filing and maintaining of administration records in an orderly user-friendly system. 

· Support front line staff with administrative paperwork required for group sessions or group meetings.

· To assist with minute taking.

· To maintain confidentiality and data protection principles, raising any issues with your line manager as appropriate.

Additional tasks

· Engage in support and supervision provided.

· To keep a good record of your work, including reporting verbally to their supervisor and completing relevant forms.

This may vary depending on your specific team and time commitment.

Expenses

• Travel expenses (within 20 miles of the service) 
• Up to £6.50 lunch expenses.
• Any additional expenses will need to be pre-agreed with placement supervisor.

Qualities

Below is a list of the qualities that we are looking for from volunteers:

· If in recovery, to be 6 months abstinence from all mood altering substances if in recovery.

· Must be over 18 years of age.

· Ability to use computers and IT equipment.

· To have good verbal and written communication skills.

· To have a clear understanding and maintain a high degree of confidentiality.

· To have a clear understanding of how to set and maintain boundaries.

· To have the ability to reflect and receive feedback.

· To be reliable, flexible and committed.

· To treat individuals with respect and dignity.

· To have the ability to follow instructions.

· To be committed to own learning and development.

Checks required for this role

· Reference (this may be from a keyworker, volunteer supervisor, tutor or sponsor if you are not able to provide a work reference)

· Enhanced DBS Check

· The volunteer role will be subject to prison vetting and security checks. This is in addition to what is required for community working.

The inspirational peer to peer mental health charity is looking for an experienced Chair of Trustees to help us increase our fundraising and service reach.

We are developing an ambitious ten year startegy to grow our reach, embed service excellence in mental health and have a strong financial base for operations.

If you are passionate about mental health and have experience in governance, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Interviews with the interim Chair and Chief Executive will be on a rolling basis, so please dont delay putting in an application. Please send us your CV and a short covering letter to apply

We are seeking passionate and empathetic individuals to join our team as a volunteer Been There mentor. In this online chat-based role, you will have the unique opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of people struggling with body image issues.

In return, you have the chance to:

• Use your experience to benefit and support someone else
• Make a difference in someone’s life and contribute to changing the current epidemic of body image issues in our society
• Deepen your understanding and skill base with our in-house training course, partnered with The Body Image Treatment Clinic 
• Build your communication and interpersonal skills
• Gain confidence and leadership skills
• Share your personal experiences to help others in need
• Flexible working hours
• Attend virtual meetups with other mentors and experts for support and discussion opportunities
• Enjoy being part of the Been There community, and become part of Been There’s incredible journey.

Our requirements:

All mentors must have had personal experience with body image issues, and are now in a position where they feel able to support someone else through their own.

Alongside this, we need you to:

• be over 25 years of age
• be able to complete around 6-8 hours of online training and assessment 
• successfully undergo all necessary safeguarding checks including DBS and personal references
• agree to Been There’s confidentiality and privacy policy guidelines
• be able to commit to a minimum of six months volunteering with Been There
• have access to a quiet and private environment to complete your online training and deliver one-to-one mentoring sessions (for 1-3 hours per week).
• have a secure internet/data connection in order to access the Been There app

If you are interested in joining our amazing and growing family, then you can apply via our app.

You can contact us via our web page or any of our socials if you need more information.

Borderline Support UK CIC are a small non-profit organisation made up entirely of volunteers. We work to support people with borderline personality disorder through peer support groups, signposting, and more.

Lived experience isn’t necessary for this post, but it would be an advantage.

We are currently looking for enthusiastic and passionate Research Assistants who can dedicate a few hours a month to work on projects with Borderline Support UK. We aren’t looking for people with buckets of experience (although please apply if you do!), so no matter your experience we’d like to hear from you. The more Lived Experience voices we have on our team, the better!

Some of the projects we’re running at the moment are as follows:

• Under 18’s Resource Creation
• 18+ Resource Creation
• Social Media Content
• Support Services across the UK
• Lived Experience data collection

There will be scope to work on larger scale research projects in the future.

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. Our groups include:

• Women-only
• Men-only
• 18 to 25s
• LGBTQIA+
• Mixed
• Family

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