Peer Support Group Facilitator

·       Voluntary (expenses paid in line with volunteering policy)

·       Approx. 2 - 6 hours per week

·       Minimum commitment 12 months

·       Based in Greenwich

South East London Mind is a well-established and highly regarded local charity helping people to be mentally healthy. Working together with those experiencing mental health problems and dementia to improve their quality of life. With an annual turnover of £6M, over 180 staff and 260 volunteers, we are one of the largest charities in the Mind network.

SEL Mind delivers a Peer Support Programme which consist of group activities and therapeutic groups run by Peer Support Volunteers for individuals’ with either a mental health diagnosis or service users who are impacted by mental health within the Royal Borough of Greenwich. 

The purpose of the Volunteer Group Facilitator is to provide peer support and facilitate their group, whilst creating a welcoming environment and sharing their own knowledge/experience of living with mental health difficulties. The role will also entail the planning of groups, wellbeing calls and processing client referrals.

Benefits of volunteering with us:  

• Gain frontline experience

• Potential placement host organisation 

• Expenses paid in line with volunteering policy

• Opportunities to progress within organisation

• Regular training and development opportunities
• Ongoing supervision and support
• An opportunity to be part of a team
• An opportunity to help people within the local community
• Volunteering Week celebrations
• In depth induction training which includes active listening skills, group dynamics, mental health awareness, and EDI (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion).

Required skills, qualities and experience:

• A lived experience of mental health difficulties is a key aspect for this role

• A passion for the subject area you are delivering a group for

• Able to take an open-minded approach to your support and to listen to others in a non-judgmental way, and without feeling the need to ‘fix’

• Open to sharing your own knowledge and experience of both living with mental health difficulties and the subject matter relevant to your group

• Able to communicate clearly to others, including about your own experiences

• Able to remain calm and professional in challenging situations and escalate safeguarding concerns appropriately

• Able to work towards facilitating groups confidently, including planning group activities

• A competence in administrative tasks, registering clients and inputting data

• Able to communicate effectively over the phone with clients

Interested in the role? Next steps:

Complete a Volunteer Application Form using role person specification as a guide Interview and reference check

Undergo an Enhanced Level Disclosure and Barring Service check
Complete our volunteer training programme
Commit to one year as a peer support team member
 

We recognise the importance of having a diverse and inclusive work force, and would therefore particularly welcome applications from the following, currently under-represented, groups:

·       People from culturally diverse communities

·       People aged 18-25

·       Disabled people

·       People with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities

SEL Mind is committed to meeting the reasonable adjustments of disabled people and always welcomes applications from people with lived experience of mental health problems.

How to apply

Please email your Volunteer Application Form to the email address supplied.

Closing date: 7th April 2025
Likely interview date: Week of the 16th April 2025

Induction Training: Will take place on the 7th, 12th, 13th, 15th of May however, these dates are subject to change. Please note that this training is mandatory for applicants to progress into the role.