Support Worker Volunteer Roles in Channel Islands

Companion volunteers support anyone with a terminal or life limiting illness aged 18 or over and their family. Companion volunteers provide companionship, emotional and practical support and short carer respite.

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

We are looking for a new on-line counselor to join our organisation. This will mean running an email service and even a Skype / zoom service if you wish.

We are looking for someone to replace our current housing advice role as she is having to take time off. If you have expertese in this area please apply!

Do you love to support and empower people? We are looking for compassionate champions to join our volunteer mentoring programme. Help mentees build confidence, get established in community and develop independence. The Build mentoring programme supports survivors of modern slavery. A volunteer mentor is paired with a co mentor meeting fortnightly in the community with a mentee; being a friendly support, setting goals, exploring opportunities and life skills. All volunteer mentors are supported and accountable to the Build Coordinators. This role is voluntary and unpaid (costs incurred for refreshments related to the mentor role will be reimbursed).

The Role

• To create a safe, compassionate, and healthy mentoring relationship
• Provide the mentee with tools and techniques to navigate a pathway to achieve things that are important to them
• Provide practical support to the mentee where appropriate (eg signposting)
• Support a mentee to identify and establish goals and life skills that are important to them
• Liaise with the mentee and fellow mentor to arrange safe and suitable meeting places including date and time
• Debrief with your co-mentor after each meeting and provide a brief written record of the discussion for the Mentoring Coordinator
• Work with your co-mentor to model ‘healthy community’
• Manage the trio’s refreshment expenses for reimbursement

Skills you need

• Compassion, empathy and active listening skills
• Ability to be able to help people feel at ease and build confidence
• To help people draw out personal goals and things that are important to them
• Have a passion and desire for wanting to transform and support the lives of people
• Be sensitive to someone who has experienced trauma
• Ability to keep confidence and professional boundaries
• Reliability and good time keeping
• Commitment to safeguarding and a willingness to raise concerns where necessary
• Experience of supporting others navigate and integrate into community
• Access to car/public transport and flexibility around location 

What you will get from us

• Online or face to face training prior to working with mentees:
• Volunteer Induction and specialised programme training
• e-learning courses relating to Safeguarding, Data Protection and Equality & Diversity, IT and Data Induction
• Ongoing support sessions from the Build team
• Ongoing training with an emphasis on trauma informed practice Commitment
• 12-month commitment period
• Meet with mentee and co-mentor fortnightly for 1-2 hours
• Commitment to write up debriefs and any relevant actions between meetups
• To able to complete all required training
• To be able to attend a minimum of 4 training sessions per year

All roles within the mentoring programme need:

• Mandatory checks including DBS
• Two satisfactory references
• Completion of induction training
• An informal interview and introductory period
• Have a passion and desire for wanting to help and support people

A bit about this role

If you enjoy driving and would love to use those skills to help our cats, this could be the role for you. Our transport volunteers provide vital assistance to our teams and volunteer groups in the local area by transporting equipment, litter, food– and even cats! They have the essential role of connecting our network of volunteers, sites, vets and supporters.

Without the passionate and committed teams of volunteers across Cats Protection, we wouldn’t be able to help the thousands of cats and kittens each year that rely on us for help.

What can you expect to be doing?

• Arranging and transporting equipment, litter and cat food
• Transporting cats to and from vets, foster homes and centres
• Transporting equipment to and from events

Are you a good listener?  Do you live in the South West? We need you to facilitate one of our weekly telephone groups that offer blind and partially sighted people the opportunity to socialise with others from this region.  You will contribute to the group to ensure that all participants feel comfortable and the group conversations run smoothly.

*Ability to listen 

*Effective listening skills 

*Good communication skills

*This role requires 2 references

Would you like to make a difference to a local family in your community? By giving just 2hrs a week you can do this.

Our volunteers are all parents themselves or have parenting experience and are carefully selected for their friendliness and understanding. All volunteers complete a preparation course and are DBS and reference checked before being matched with a family. They then take their own individual skills and experience to the families they visit. Our volunteers offer their time and friendship and accept a parent as they are.

Are you passionate about making a meaningful difference in your community? Do you have expertise in finance and a desire to contribute to a cause that positively impacts lives?  If the answer is yes, then this could be the perfect role for you!

STAMP Revisited is a small but ambitious charity, which provides advocacy and emotional support to those experiencing mental health difficulties. We support them to access vital services they need that they would not be able to access independently.  We have already supported thousands of the most disadvantaged people to have their voice heard and respected.

We are currently recruiting a new Treasurer to join our Board of Trustees. As a Trustee of STAMP Revisited, you will play a crucial role in setting the strategic direction of the charity and ensuring good governance.  You will contribute to ensuring that the charity fulfils its mission, operates effectively, and remains accountable to those experiencing mental health issues.

In addition to the general duties as Trustee, as Treasurer you will play a pivotal role in securing the financial integrity and sustainability of our charity. You will ensure that effective and appropriate financial measures are put in place and report to the Board at regular intervals about the financial health of the organisation.

If you are interested in finding out more about being a Treasurer and sitting on our Board, we would love to hear from you. Our Board welcomes people from diverse backgrounds, aged 18 or over with a wide range of skills. We are keen to welcome people who have personal experience of mental health challenges, including service users and carers.

Can you spare a few hours a month to support STAMP Revisited, a local mental health charity?

We are, a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), which has provided advocacy services for the people of Teesside for almost 30 years, and we are currently looking for new Trustees to join our Board.

Our advocates provide advocacy to adults who are experiencing mental health difficulties that impact on their ability to make their voice heard and are unable to independently navigate personal issues such as aspects of their health, finances, or housing needs.

Trustees are essential to the success of a charity, and the Board is the charity’s governing body. Trustees are responsible for ensuring the charity meets its objectives and are responsible for its general administration and control of the charity.

If you are interested in finding out more about being a Trustee and sitting on our Board, we would love to hear from you. Our Board welcomes people from diverse backgrounds, aged 18 or over with a wide range of skills. We are keen to welcome people who have personal experience of mental health challenges, including service users and carers.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Marie Curie Helper is a professional service provided by trained volunteers who offer one-to-one companionship and support to people with a terminal illness and their families. The service would not be able to reach those most in need if it was not for the commitment and hard work of the volunteers delivering the service.

Helper volunteers provide companionship and emotional support, practical support, short breaks for carers and help with signposting for information and support.

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

• Carry out weekly visits with the person(s) you’re supporting, as agreed with the Volunteer Co-ordinator. This could be in a variety of settings, eg family home, a care home or in the community.
• Provide one-to-one companionship and support. 

For example: offering a listening ear and spending time engaging in every-day conversation, activities or hobbies with the person you are supporting. Driving clients to pre-arranged health or social care (e.g. to medical appointments) or taking short trips out. Helping with small, daily tasks, e.g. making tea or accessing the internet. Allowing carers to have a short break. You may be supporting your client’s family or carers before or during bereavement.  This may involve offering emotional support, signposting to relevant local support services or finding out information as requested 

(This is only an outline as support will vary according to individual needs. Helper volunteers do not provide nursing or personal care, or offer counselling or advice)

• Keep your manager informed of any changes to the situation, or any significant happenings in connection to the person you’re supporting and/or their family, either in person or by phone 
• Submit regular visit reports to your manager and update relevant computer systems as required 
• Be reliable and committed to regularly spending time with someone and offering support
• Attend individual sessions with your Volunteer Co-ordinator, training and group events as required 
• Represent the Marie Curie Helper service positively to those using the service

Pam mae angen eich help arnom

Gwasanaeth proffesiynol yw Cynorthwywyr Marie Curie a ddarperir gan wirfoddolwyr hyfforddedig sy’n cynnig cwmnïaeth a chymorth un-i-un i bobl sydd â salwch terfynol a’u teuluoedd. Ni fyddai’r gwasanaeth yn medru cyrraedd y rhai sydd ei angen fwyaf heb ymroddiad a gwaith caled y gwirfoddolwyr sy’n darparu’r gwasanaeth.

Mae Cynorthwywyr Gwirfoddol yn darparu cwmnïaeth a chymorth emosiynol, cymorth ymarferol, seibiannau byr i ofalwyr a help gyda chyfeirio at wybodaeth a chymorth. 

Beth rydym angen i chi ei wneud

Bydd eich rôl yn cynnwys, ond heb fod yn gyfyngedig i, rhai o’r tasgau canlynol:

• Cynnal ymweliadau wythnosol gyda’r person/pobl rydych chi’n eu cefnogi, fel y cytunwyd gyda’r Cydlynydd Gwirfoddolwyr. Gallai hyn fod mewn amrywiaeth o leoliadau, e.e. cartref teuluol, cartref gofal, neu yn y gymuned.
• Darparu cwmnïaeth a chymorth un-i-un. Er enghraifft:

• Cynnig clust i wrando a threulio amser yn sgwrsio neu wneud gweithgareddau neu hobïau bob dydd gyda'r person yr ydych yn ei gefnogi.
• Gyrru cleientiaid i ofal iechyd neu gymdeithasol a drefnwyd ymlaen llaw (e.e. i apwyntiadau meddygol) neu fynd ar deithiau byr.
• Helpu gyda thasgau bach bob dydd, e.e. gwneud te neu gyrchu’r
• rhyngrwyd.
• Caniatáu i ofalwyr gael seibiant byr.
• Efallai y byddwch yn cefnogi teulu’ch cleient cyn neu yn ystod profedigaeth.  Gallai hyn gynnwys cynnig cymorth emosiynol, cyfeirio at wasanaethau cymorth lleol neu ddod o hyd i wybodaeth yn ôl yr angen

(Amlinelliad yn unig yw hwn gan fydd cymorth yn amrywio yn ôl anghenion unigol. Nid yw cynorthwywyr gwirfoddol yn darparu gofal nyrsio neu bersonol, nac yn cynnig cwnsela na chyngor)

• Rhoi gwybod i’ch rheolwr am unrhyw newidiadau i’r sefyllfa, neu unrhyw ddigwyddiadau arwyddocaol mewn cysylltiad â’r person rydych chi’n ei gefnogi a/neu ei deulu, naill ai wyneb yn wyneb neu dros y ffôn
• Cyflwyno adroddiadau ymweliad i’ch rheolwr yn rheolaidd a diweddaru systemau cyfrifiadur perthnasol yn ôl yr angen
• Bod yn ddibynadwy ac yn ymroddgar i dreulio amser â rhywun a chynnig cymorth yn rheolaidd
• Mynychu sesiynau unigol gyda’ch Cydlynydd Gwirfoddoli, hyfforddiant a sesiynau grŵp yn ôl yr angen
• Cynrychioli’r Gwasanaeth Cynorthwywyr Marie Curie yn bositif i’r rhai sy’n defnyddio’r gwasanaeth

Pa sgiliau neu brofiad sydd eu hangen arnoch?

• Ymroddiad a dibynadwyedd – y gallu i gadw apwyntiadau a gwirfoddoli am tua 3 awr yr wythnos
• Amynedd, empathi a sefydlogrwydd emosiynol
• Dealltwriaeth o bwysigrwydd cyfrinachedd
• Parch tuag at breifatrwydd, urddas ac annibyniaeth unigolyn
• Parodrwydd i fod yn hyblyg i anghenion yr unigolyn
• Y gallu i weithredu o fewn ffiniau’r rôl
• Ymagwedd gyfeillgar a sensitif gyda sgiliau cryf o ran meithrin perthynas ac empathi
• Sgiliau gwrando rhagorol a’r gallu i feithrin perthynas ag eraill
• Parch tuag at unigolion, ni waeth beth fo’u hanabledd, ethnigrwydd, statws priodasol, beichiogrwydd neu famolaeth, rhywedd, cyfeiriadedd rhywiol, crefydd neu ffydd, neu ailbennu rhywedd

ABOUT US

Every day of your life matters – from the first to the last. When you volunteer for Marie Curie, you understand that better than ever. We’re a passionate, committed and diverse team of more than 4,400 staff and  6,500 volunteers, here for people living with any terminal illness, and their families. We offer expert care, guidance and support, to help them get the most from the time they have left. 

Marie Curie is committed to its values, which underpin our work.  We take stringent steps to ensure that the people who join our organisation through employment or volunteering, are suitable for their roles and are committed to safeguarding all our people from harm. This includes our staff, volunteers and all those who use or come into contact with our services. We are dedicated to creating not just a safe place to work but also a supportive and rewarding one.

Marie Curie is committed to a world where everyone can thrive and fulfil their potential. We are devoted to the social justice imperatives and organisational benefits of full diversity, inclusion and equity in the workplace, and are a Stonewall champion. We actively encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, perspectives and lived experiences.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early.

At Staying Well we run a Telephone Befriending Scheme.

If you have up to an hour free once a week for 6 months then this could be the volunteer role for you!

This is what the Befriending Network say about befriending:

“Everyone needs other people, but not everyone has someone. 

Befriending offers supportive, reliable relationships through volunteer befrienders to people who would otherwise be socially isolated. Around the UK, there are befriending projects which organise effective support for children and young people, families, people with mental ill-health, people with learning disabilities and older people, amongst many others.

The results of befriending can be very significant. Befriending often provides people with a new direction in life, opens up a range of activities and leads to increased self-esteem and self confidence. Befriending can also reduce the burden on other services which people may use inappropriately as they seek social contact.”

Deafblind UK members have combined sight and hearing loss and many can feel lonely or socially isolated. We offer a free telephone befriending service where we match volunteers with one of our members to have a weekly 30 minute chat together.

We are looking for confident, empathetic and friendly people who can hold a good conversation. You could be chatting about similar interests or learning about each other’s lives. Whatever the conversation you’ll be having a positive impact.

One 30 minute call seems really simple but having someone to talk to and someone to listen, could really make a difference to our members. It could be that you’re the only person they speak to that day, or even that week.

Our members love to chat with people who have had some life experience and stories to tell. You will need good communication skills and be able to strike up a conversation. You will also need to be reliable, patient with a naturally warm and friendly nature.

We will ensure you are supported throughout your journey with us, offering training and support at all times.

The Bereaved by Suicide project provides a rapid response and ongoing support service to those affected by suicide. We are looking for Bereavement Volunteers to join us at Cruse to provide up to 6 support sessions for clients by phone or zoom.

We aim to meet the needs of clients as closely as possible, meaning support sessions may be spread out to ensure support is ongoing throughout an inquest for example, and support can sometimes be extended depending on individual circumstances.

We are keen to hear from anyone with experience of working in the field of mental health support, suicide, or relevant social work. The position could suit a counselling student seeking a placement to complete their counselling hours.

Full bereavement training is provided over a six week period with additional bereaved by suicide training. A DBS check is also required.