Mental Health Volunteer Roles in Home Based

The Say Aphasia charity provides support groups across the UK for people with aphasia; a language and communication disability caused by a brain injury like a stroke. Aphasia affects over 350,000 people in the UK but is little understood or known about by the public. It is the only aphasia charity set up by people with aphasia for people with aphasia; helping them to adapt to their new way of life and regain their independence and confidence.

Aphasia occurs due to injury to the brain such as a stroke. It affects access to language, resulting in difficulties following conversations, speaking, reading and writing. People’s language can be affected to different degrees so not everyone’s aphasia looks the same.  Imagine for a moment not being able to verbally order a coffee or ask for a bus ticket. This may be what life could look like for someone with aphasia. Aphasia is a lifelong condition and means that the person living with aphasia, their friends and family will need to adjust to a new way of communicating to overcome barriers. This may mean having to write or draw things instead of speaking. Due to the damage in the brain, people with aphasia may find it difficult to process conversions as quickly as before. Aphasia frequently results in loss of employment and a reduced social network, leading to isolation for the person living with aphasia.

Say Aphasia are always looking to welcome new volunteers to help out at the drop-in groups. 

Volunteering for the charity is very rewarding. The training and support ensures that the volunteers learn and enjoy their time with the charity. By giving your time to people with aphasia, you will be improving their quality of life. Many of the members attending the groups live alone, or have minimal social interactions. Having a regular drop-in group to meet others with similar experiences of living with aphasia, vastly improves their mental health and well being. As a volunteer, you can help the members to communicate with each other, help to organise activities, or help out with teas and coffees. Say Aphasia offers a warm welcome to volunteers. To be part of the teamfill in the application form.

The Say Aphasia charity provides support groups across the UK for people with aphasia; a language and communication disability caused by a brain injury like a stroke. Aphasia affects over 350,000 people in the UK but is little understood or known about by the public. It is the only aphasia charity set up by people with aphasia for people with aphasia; helping them to adapt to their new way of life and regain their independence and confidence.

Aphasia occurs due to injury to the brain such as a stroke. It affects access to language, resulting in difficulties following conversations, speaking, reading and writing. People’s language can be affected to different degrees so not everyone’s aphasia looks the same.  Imagine for a moment not being able to verbally order a coffee or ask for a bus ticket. This may be what life could look like for someone with aphasia. Aphasia is a lifelong condition and means that the person living with aphasia, their friends and family will need to adjust to a new way of communicating to overcome barriers. This may mean having to write or draw things instead of speaking. Due to the damage in the brain, people with aphasia may find it difficult to process conversions as quickly as before. Aphasia frequently results in loss of employment and a reduced social network, leading to isolation for the person living with aphasia.

Say Aphasia are always looking to welcome new volunteers to help out at the drop-in groups. 

Volunteering for the charity is very rewarding. The training and support ensures that the volunteers learn and enjoy their time with the charity. By giving your time to people with aphasia, you will be improving their quality of life. Many of the members attending the groups live alone, or have minimal social interactions. Having a regular drop-in group to meet others with similar experiences of living with aphasia, vastly improves their mental health and well being. As a volunteer, you can help the members to communicate with each other, help to organise activities, or help out with teas and coffees. Say Aphasia offers a warm welcome to volunteers. To be part of the team, fill in the application form.

PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICANTS MUST BE BASED IN THE UK AND LIVE LOCALLY.

Will you share your counselling or psychotherapy skills as a counsellor or therapist to join an online counselling service for patients and families affected by a chronic pain condition (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome)?

We're looking for 2 qualified counsellors, psychotherapists or psychologists ideally with some experience of working with chronic pain patients or lived experience of chronic illness, who may want to volunteer their skills supporting our adult service users (aged 18 & over) and help us to continue developing a mental health support service. 

As a Volunteer Counsellor/Therapist you’ll be providing remote counselling/therapy support services to adults aged 18 and over many of whom are isolated and in need of mental health services. You’ll be providing one-to-one counselling/therapy sessions online via Zoom or by phone. With your recognised counselling qualifications and experience you will be an asset to our small charity and to our services users.  

Depending on your qualifications, skills and experience, our volunteer counsellors / therapists provide person centred counselling (general talking counselling) or integrative counselling, or specialist services such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), ACT, CFT and EMDR for CRPS patients, or their families & close relatives.

People will be referred both by health or legal professionals as well as having patients and carers themselves referring into to the service.

In this role you’ll be able to develop your counselling and therapy skills, organisation, communication and team working skills.

Most importantly you’ll be providing essential services that help make sure no one has to face CRPS alone. Be the hope for CRPS.

What the role involves

This role may vary depending on needs, but is likely to include:

• Undertake a client assessments, followed by person-centred counselling (via Zoom or phone) to our clients, offering up to 20 sessions for each client plus 4 psychometric assessments

• Providing one-to-one counselling sessions to clients aged 18 & over

• Update our database with the client’s information, sessional notes and session attendance

• Maintain succinct, relevant session notes and store these confidentially and securely in acccordahce with GDPR

• Attending and participating in peer supervision support

• Attend CPD training to ensure your knowledge stays current

• Participating in volunteer meetings
• Maintaining client confidentiality, upholding data protection and equal opportunities principle

• Attend monthly Supervision and peer support sessions to ensure safe working practices

We can support you to develop the skills you need for this role, including a full induction. You will have a chance to discuss your role and any additional needs with us. We can offer you a supervisor as well as expenses for annual insurance and an external supervisor if required.

What you need for this role

Essential

• Be a member (including student membership) of one of the recognised organisations (see below)
• Level 4 Diploma level qualifications as a minimum (unfortunately no students at this time), Degree or Masters in Counselling, Counselling/Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, Art Therapy, EMDR 
• Minimum of 100 hours supervised
• Proof of professional indemnity insurance annually - we may consider paying this as an expense but commitment to the charity is required
• A valid DBS certificate (enhanced version), which is less than three years old and renewed every three years (the charity can provide where necessary)
• Able to keep people’s personal data safe

• Willing and able to provide counselling via Zoom from a private location with a stable WiFi connection

• Able to support a minimum of 3 clients a week, being three hours of your time for counselling sessions plus time for administration. We ideally hope you to offer the charity a minimum commitment of six months.

Desirable

• Knowledge of chronic pain or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
• Previous experience as a chronic pain or CRPS counsellor or psychologist 
• Committed to our values
• Willing to develop skills and experience
• Enjoy working as part of a team
• Effective administration skills, planning and organisation skills
• Approachable, presentable, enthusiastic

We also welcome training counsellors and counselling/clinical psychologists who are looking for placements.

Once we’ve assessed your application, you may be invited for interview. If you are successful, we will arrange for you to have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service DBS or Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) check.

Recognised Organisations You Must Be A Member of:

• British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP)
• British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapists (BABCP)
• EMDR Association UK
• Complimentary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC)
• General Hypnotherapy Register (GHR)
• British Society for Clinical Hypnotherapists (BSCH)
• National Council for Hypnotherapists (NCH)
• United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
• The National Hypnotherapy Society (HS)
• National Counselling Society (NCS)
• Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• The Association for Professional Hypnosis and Psychotherapy (APHP)
• National Register of Hypnotherapists & Psychotherapists (NRHP)

Making a difference

What impact will the opportunity have?

You will join the charity during a critical and challenging period where referrals are on the rise and your expert knowledge and experience will be invaluable to our success. You will have a key role in not only developing a counselling service for our clients but also ensure we provide counselling services and mental health support to our CRPS patients & their families who are in need of our support and inclusion on a regular basis. With your help we will expand our support and mental health services to ensure our service users receive mental health support that they may not have been offered.

What's in it for you as the volunteer? 

You would be a part of our small, friendly, forward-thinking charity team, focused on reaching people affected by this rare, painful and debilitating chronic pain condition and to provide them with psychological support whether they are patients, their partner, relatives, friends or carers. As this service is rapidly expanding, you would have a key role in developing our counselling and psychotherapy programme and to complement our support services that we offer. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to make a real difference in our clients' life which is already isolated and painful, who may not have received any psychological support.

Role Description

The Support Volunteer is part of the volunteering team of Say Aphasia. Alongside the Peer

Leader and Helping Hands Volunteer, the Support Volunteer supports individual Say Aphasia

meet-ups. The role specifically focuses on supporting the peer leader in roles that are easier

for someone without language impairment.

Roles

● Provide a safe, inclusive and accessible environment.

● Adhere to Say Aphasia’s policies and procedures.

● Responsible for group admin, alongside the Peer Leader:

○ Ensure group checklist is completed and implemented, during support group

meet-up.

○ Ensure the attendance forms are completed at every meet-up.

○ Ensure the member forms are completed for new members.

○ Ensure the visitor forms are completed for any visitors.

○ Give ‘Welcome Packs’ to new members.

○ Ensure members are contacted if group plans change, and inform the Charity

Coordinator.

● Responsible for gathering members' information using Say Aphasia’s digital

Forms alongside the Peer Leader.

○ Ensure contact details and emergency contact details are gathered and up to

date.

○ Ensure contact preferences are gathered and up to date.

○ Ensure pertinent medical concerns are known, up to date and readily

available.

● Provide communication support for members during the support group:

○ Support members to have a successful conversation.

○ Ensure everyone has access to communication aids.

○ Ensure members have the tools and support to express their opinions and

ideas.

○ Gather any members suggestions, comments and requirements mentioned

during the support group.

○ Be aware of, and capitalise on each members' communication preferences

(their preferred way to have a conversation). Add notes to the tablet computer

if needed.

○ Offer a listening ear to members and sign post them to relevant support.

● Contribute to group sustainability:

○ Contribute to identification and recording of fundraising opportunities, and

liaise with Local Group Facilitator.

○ Support the Local Group Facilitator to organise local fundraising.

● Contribute to improving the service:

○ Support Local Group Facilitator with gathering feedback from members when

required.

○ Note down any issues, ideas for improvement and relay this to the Charity

Coordinator.

● Support other volunteers:

○ Attend regular catch-ups with the Peer Leader and fellow volunteers.

○ Encourage a positive group ethos.

● Be an active advocate for the group.

● Responsible for safeguarding during each group meet-up: overseen by the

Local Group Facilitator

○ Responsible for the safekeeping of the tablet computer (iPad) and members'

information.

○ Be aware of members' pertinent medical concerns.

○ Be aware of health and safety policy.

● Ensure regular communication with the Charity Coordinator.

○ Inform the Local Group Facilitator of any:

■ changes to future group meet-ups

■ changes to members details

■ fundraising opportunities.

● Attend a quarterly support meeting for all Support Volunteers.

● Contact the Charity Coordinator if any issues arise that cannot be resolved

with the peer leader.

PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICANTS MUST BE BASED IN THE UK AND LIVE LOCALLY.

The CRH Charitable Trust is looking for new Trustees to join its Board.

The CRH Charitable Trust are looking for new Trustees to join their Board of Trustees. The CRH Charitable Trust is a registered charity (charity number 213579).

The Charity provides grants to  a wide range of charitable organisations.  The Trustees' preference is to support charitable organisations in the North West of England for mental health and mental disability projects where expertise in this area and financial stability can be demonstrated.

We are now looking to appoint new Trustees to join the current Board of Trustees. We would particularly welcome people with the following skills and experience:

· Qualified accountant

· Social work

· Finance and investments

· Management

· Other Trusteeships

This is an opportunity for you to:

· Join a respected local charity trust

· Make a positive impact for people in your local area

· Gain valuable board experience and develop your analytical and strategy skills

The time commitment would be 4 meetings per year, plus report reading and preparation time for each meeting.. In addition Trustees are expected to undertake visits to potential grant applicants and report back to the Board.  We estimate that the time commitment is equivalent to 1-2 days per month

For further information, please see our Trustee Information Pack on our website.

To apply please provide a copy of your CV along with a supporting statement as to why you wish to be considered as a Trustee referring to the Trustee Role Profile.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.

Are you a Clinical Supervisor interested in supporting counsellors and therapists?

Burning Nights CRPS Support has a highly skilled counselling and therapy team who provide counselling and psychotherapy to adults and children who have been affected by a debilitating pain condition, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). This team is expanding rapidly and we are now looking for a volunteer Clinical Supervisor to join this team ensuring we can continue the provision of our vital emotional support services to this community. We would ideally like to take on a Clinical Supervisor - one supporting the therapists who deal with adults.

All our Counselling and therapy team help to develop our growing mental health support service for patients, families and carers affected by Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). As a volunteer with the CRPS Counselling & Therapy Service, your skills and experience as a Clinical Supervisor will be providing support to therapists who offer therapy to vulnerable individuals, many of whom are isolated and in need of mental health support.

Depending on your qualifications, skills and experience, you will provide Supervisor support for counsellors or psychotherapists who provide counselling support or specialist services, such as general talking (person centred) therapies, integrative therapists, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for CRPS patients, their loved ones and carers. The service currently offers specialist support to anyone over the age of 5 who is affected by CRPS.

Key Tasks and Objectives

• Facilitate Clinical Supervision one to one and group sessions on a monthly or fortnightly basis (online)

• Administer this supervision from invitation through to record keeping

• Maintain appropriate clinical records of all work and to report, along with any concerns on individuals or their practice to the Chair of Trustees

• Commitment to ongoing supervision of supervision practice at Burning Nights CRPS Support as well as engaging in separate own personal supervision as/if appropriate

• Work flexibly as part of a small team as necessary to provide maximum coverage for supervision, such as in the event of emergencies

• Abide by all Burning Nights CRPS Support policies and procedures

• Adhere to BACP, BABCP (or other appropriate therapies governing body) Ethical Framework

Key Skills, Qualifications and Experience

Essential:

• Psychotherapy/Counselling qualification with a minimum of 2 years post qualification experience in a similar field

• Qualification in Clinical Supervision - ideally level 7 or above (could also suit experienced counsellors who require a placement during Clinical Supervision placement, or experienced counsellors wishing to gain experience in supervision)

• Accreditation/registration (or working at the level of or towards this qualification) as a Supervisor with BACP/HCPC/BAPT or equivalent

• Significant proven experience of supervising individual counsellors/psychotherapists from a range of training backgrounds 

• Appropriate and proven clinical experience of working with clients with a range of difficulties including complex medical health issues, loss and bereavement. Ideally experience of working with clients living with or affected by chronic pain or chronic conditions

• Willingness to engage in any Burning Nights CRPS Support training

• Understanding of issues regarding confidentiality and management of risk within a counselling service

• Good administrative skills

• Understanding of the voluntary sector

• Commitment to on-going engagement in personal supervision

• Knowledgeable of and committed to equalities’ provision

Desirable:

• Appropriate and proven clinical experience of working with clients living with or affected by chronic pain or chronic conditions

• Being able to supervise therapists who work in therapy such as CBT, ACT, EMDR etc

• Experience of working within a low-cost / free voluntary sector counselling setting

• Experience of working within the voluntary charity sector

We are seeking Trustees to join our Trustee Board who wish to make a positive difference to the health and well being of women in the Borough. Successful applicants will contribute to the overall strategy of the charity and oversee its governance, to ensure it is well managed and administered with resources being used appropriately.

LeanOnMe

Mental Health for youth empowered by AI.

LeanOnMe addresses pressing social and environmental challenges by tackling the growing mental health crisis among Adolescents and Young Adults (AYAs), particularly those aged 16-25. In today’s increasingly complex world, AYAs face numerous mental health challenges that impact their well-being, education, and social integration. Some of the critical issues we address include:

Mental Health Crisis in AYAs: The mental health of young people is deteriorating at an alarming rate. Globally, 1 in 5 adolescents suffers from a mental health condition, with conditions like anxiety and depression on the rise. The impact of this crisis is profound—by 2030, mental health costs are expected to reach $6 trillion, with a significant portion of this burden falling on young people. The increasing prevalence of mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, creates a significant social challenge, as many AYAs are left without adequate resources or support​​. Key Drivers of Mental Health Deterioration: Digital media consumption, academic and social pressure, economic uncertainty, and social isolation are some of the key factors contributing to this crisis. AYAs are particularly vulnerable to the pressures created by social media, the increasing competitiveness of the academic environment, and societal issues like climate change, trust deficits, and inequality. As a result, AYAs often experience heightened anxiety, depression, and stress​​. Barriers to Mental Health Support: Despite the growing need, the current mental health support system is inadequate to meet the demands of AYAs. Many young people face barriers such as: Lack of availability of professional support High costs of therapy Inaccessibility of real-time mental health assistance Stigma associated with seeking help These barriers leave many AYAs dealing with their mental health issues in isolation, leading to long-term negative impacts on their education, career prospects, and quality of life​​. Environmental and Societal Challenges: Beyond individual mental health concerns, broader societal issues, such as climate change, economic instability, and distrust in institutions, exacerbate the mental health challenges faced by AYAs. These factors create a sense of uncertainty and hopelessness among young people, further driving the need for accessible, reliable mental health support​​.

The Need for Instant, Affordable, and Real-Time Support: AYAs require an immediate response to their mental health needs, but professional help is often unavailable, unaffordable, or inaccessible. LeanOnMe fills this gap by offering a 24/7 AI-enabled mental health solution, delivering instant, customized support through a familiar platform like WhatsApp. This not only ensures accessibility but also reduces the stigma associated with seeking mental health support. LeanOnMe’s AI bot provides real-time conversations, offering emotional support, stress management techniques, and career advice specifically tailored to the challenges faced by AYAs, particularly during stressful times like exams​​. In summary, LeanOnMe’s solution addresses the urgent social and environmental challenges of the growing mental health pandemic among AYAs by providing accessible, affordable, and stigma-free support. This bridges the gap between the challenges they face and professional help, helping young people manage stress and build resilience through real-time AI-enabled support.

LeanOnMe offers a 24/7 AI-driven mental health support platform, tailored specifically for Adolescents and Young Adults (AYAs) aged 16-25. Our solution directly addresses the gaps in mental health care by providing instant, affordable, and accessible mental health support through a conversational AI bot on platforms like WhatsApp, where AYAs are most comfortable. 

Grant Researcher & Application Assistant

Role Description

Role Overview: Help us find and apply for grants that support mental health initiatives or startups like ours. You'll assist in researching grant opportunities, preparing simple application documents, and working with our team to submit proposals.

Key Responsibilities:

Research potential grants and funding opportunities for mental health projects. Draft and organize basic application materials. Keep track of deadlines and application statuses.

Weekly Time Commitment

4-6 hours per week remotely

Duration of Volunteer Role

One-off project

Join the Board of Active Prospects and use your expertise in care/support management or property/business development to ensure this charitable organisation can continue to enable people with complex needs to live full and aspiring lives.

Applications close at: 9 a.m. Monday 11th November 2024

Location: South East England

Time commitment: c. 1 day per month

About Active Prospects

Active Prospects is a charitable organisation enabling over 300 people with learning disabilities, physical and mental health needs, and autistic people each year to live full and aspiring lives.

We employ 400 staff across residential, supported living and services that enable employment across the South East.

We are leaders in creating bespoke homes and support to enable people with complex needs to leave institutional settings. We are also specialists in facilitating people-led co-production and working with partner organisations to address health inequalities.

We were the highest-ranked large care employer nationally in the Great Places to Work rankings, and we were also singled out for our approaches to staff well-being and support for female employees.

About the roles

We are looking for two new Board members to help us with our strategy and ambitions for the future.

We are looking for a trustee with experience in care and support relative to the local authority commissioning landscape and NHS/ICB in the areas of learning disability, autism, and mental health. Understanding the government policy around health and social care would also be favourable.

We are also seeking a trustee with experience in property/business development/social enterprise/creative income generation — someone who can understand strategic growth opportunities, has knowledge of commissioning and is willing to help drive collaborative opportunities.

These roles offer the opportunity to gain in your personal development and know that you are making a huge impact on people’s lives.

Please click 'Apply via website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 11th November 2024.

We are looking for Volunteers for our drop-in in Gloucester.

The Say Aphasia charity provides support groups across the UK for people with aphasia; a language and communication disability caused by a brain injury like a stroke. Aphasia affects over 350,000 people in the UK but is little understood or known about by the public. It is the only aphasia charity set up by people with aphasia for people with aphasia; helping them to adapt to their new way of life and regain their independence and confidence.

Aphasia occurs due to injury to the brain such as a stroke. It affects access to language, resulting in difficulties following conversations, speaking, reading and writing. People’s language can be affected to different degrees so not everyone’s aphasia looks the same.  Imagine for a moment not being able to verbally order a coffee or ask for a bus ticket. This may be what life could look like for someone with aphasia. Aphasia is a lifelong condition and means that the person living with aphasia, their friends and family will need to adjust to a new way of communicating to overcome barriers. This may mean having to write or draw things instead of speaking. Due to the damage in the brain, people with aphasia may find it difficult to process conversions as quickly as before. Aphasia frequently results in loss of employment and a reduced social network, leading to isolation for the person living with aphasia.

Say Aphasia are always looking to welcome new volunteers to help out at the drop-in groups. 

Volunteering for the charity is very rewarding. The training and support ensures that the volunteers learn and enjoy their time with the charity. By giving your time to people with aphasia, you will be improving their quality of life. Many of the members attending the groups live alone, or have minimal social interactions. Having a regular drop-in group to meet others with similar experiences of living with aphasia, vastly improves their mental health and well being. As a volunteer, you can help the members to communicate with each other, help to organise activities, or help out with teas and coffees. Say Aphasia offers a warm welcome to volunteers. To be part of the team, fill in the application form.

PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICANTS MUST BE BASED IN THE UK AND LIVE LOCALLY.

Do you have lived or professional experience in homelessness?

Connection Support are seeking a Trustee that will support us in our vision of being a thought-leader in the prevention of homelessness, mental ill-health, and leading innovative services that prevent crises from happening.

About us

At Connection Support, our team of staff and volunteers work alongside people to overcome life’s challenges.  We do this through our values of empowerment, collaboration, compassion and taking a personalised approach in all aspects of our work.

We believe in a future where people are free from crisis, and effective prevention is the key. But for times when crises do happen, we’ll be there to help every step of the way.

About the role

The trustee will support the board, the CEO and wider senior team with advice, guidance and sharing their experiences specifically related to:

· Making our services as effective as they can be.

· Developing and maintaining relationships.

· Help us bid for homelessness contracts and funding.

· Advising on potential strategies/ideas that support us to grow in the sector.

· Look at ways to engage people to grow our reputation and services in this area.

This is an exciting time to join Connection Support as we start our new three year strategy.

Time commitment

The anticipated time commitment for a Trustee is up to a day a month. Approximately 2-3 hours per month in person, and then 2-3 hours of supporting with projects which can be from home.

Trustee positions are not paid but travel and subsistence expenses are reimbursed.

About you.

Our values are extremely important to us, so it is essential that your personal values align with ours, and you are passionate and motivated by the impact you can have by being part of Connection Support. We would also like you to have the following;

• Experience of homelessness. You might have experienced this personally, supported people though volunteering, or professionally.
• Knowledge of the issues impacting people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
• Awareness of homelessness projects and interventions.
• Able to connect with and listen to people.

We strongly encourage people with lived experience to apply. If you are not sure if this role is for you, we can arrange a no obligation chat with a member of the board or the CEO.

Previous experience is not necessary as we provide a full induction. We pair new Trustees with an experienced member and offer training opportunities to Board members.

 

Service: Perinatal Support for Partners Service

This is a service that offers fathers and non-birthing parents, who’s partner is being supported by the West London perinatal mental health service, an evidence-based 1:1 assessment to support their mental health and wellbeing. The service signpost partners to relevant services (including a PSFP peer support group).

Role Description:

To support our PSFP Service with a variety of tasks such as conducting a 1:1 assessment, (which includes onboarding to the service), co-facilitating monthly peer support groups, signposting and helping partners to access other organisations, taking care of our inbox emails and other administrative duties.

You can download a PDF of the full role description below. 

Main responsibilities: 

To work closely with our PSFP caseworker supporting referral enquires & service-users in accessing this service. Co-facilitating a monthly peer support group.

 

Tasks:

• To answer emails and enquiries for the service within our service level agreements
• Triage clients for the service through an onboarding process.
• Co-facilitate a monthly peer support group
• Provide support to our PSFP caseworkers, as and when needed

The type of person we are looking for is:

We welcome applications from those completing studies in Psychology, Counselling/Psychotherapy, or any Allied Health Profession with a focus on supporting those with mental health needs.  However, your attitude, motivation, and commitment are just as important as your training/qualifications, or any previous experience. We will review all applications individually and assess them on their unique merits, so do not be discouraged from applying if you do not meet all the criteria listed below. We encourage applications from those with lived experience of mental health problems, as well as those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

 

Essential:

• An interest in supporting those with mental health needs to access PSFP
• An appreciation of the complex factors that can precipitate, maintain, and exacerbate mental health problems
• Good oral and written communication skills (including listening skills); the ability to communicate in a patient, considered, and empathetic manner
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to follow administrative procedures
• A team player who is willing to chip in and work reflexively, responding to the challenges that arise from working in a dynamic environment
• IT skills – able to update spreadsheets, use web-based applications, video-conferencing software, and Microsoft Office applications.

Desirable:

• Customer Service experience, including with friends and family
• Experience of supporting people with mental health needs, in a voluntary, paid, or personal capacity, (i.e., friends and family)
• Previous involvement with local community groups/networks
• Awareness of the cultural barriers that may exist to seeking mental health support

Time commitment and expenses:

• 6 hours per week, during our core hours of 10am - 4pm.
  • Please indicate your preferred volunteering day(s)/time(s) on your application
• We request a minimum commitment of 3 months of volunteering after the completion of your induction
• We will provide volunteers with an induction, training, and ongoing mentoring to support them in the role 
• Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed

Why Volunteer at Hammersmith, Fulham, Ealing, and Hounslow (HFEH) Mind?

Volunteering at HFEH Mind is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to the work of a leading national mental health charity. We provide initial and ongoing training, as well as plenty of opportunities for progression within the organisation. You will be treated as a core member of the team from day one and be surrounded by supportive and knowledgeable colleagues fighting for mental health.

What’s in it for the volunteer?

Volunteering opportunities have been a route into paid employment within our organisation for many of our previous volunteers. However, the skills and experiences you will gain are likely to support applications for paid employment within the sector more broadly, as well as further training and education opportunities (e.g., Business courses, social work, mental health qualifications).

We are keen to foster the individual strengths and interests of volunteers. With the support of the PSFP Team, we will work with you to ensure that your volunteering experience is meaningful and valuable, whilst balancing the requirements of delivering the service.  

Are you a good listener, able to show empathy and understanding as well as being able to spot the positive things in life? This could be the perfect role for you!

We are looking for volunteers who have a couple of hours a week to give on a regular basis to make friendly calls to people living with epilepsy who are feeling lonely or isolated.

“It made me feel like I wasn’t alone and has given me confidence within myself.”

You don’t have to have epilepsy yourself and your check-in calls don’t even have to be about epilepsy, sometimes people want to forget about that for a while and instead have a friendly conversation about what’s on telly, their favourite sport or their hobby.

You might be able to encourage them to get out and make more connections in their community but even if all you do is make someone laugh you have brightened their day and made a difference.

What's involved?

There is a DBS check to ensure we keep everyone safe and some basic training to enable you to get started. You’ll then be ready to start making calls. Calls typically last 30 minutes so depending how much time you have to give you can make a difference to two or three people a week, maybe even more!

Calls can easily be made over the phone or if you prefer over video call it's up to you which you prefer.

The role is flexible so that you can choose a time to volunteer that suits you. We only ask that you stick to that same time and day each week as it makes it easier for the service user to remember when to expect a call. We also ideally want you to be able to volunteer for at least a year so that service users have a consistent experience.

You’ll be fully supported by our befriending team and you’ll get to join our volunteer community with regular volunteer meet-ups. Our volunteer portal makes it easy to connect to other volunteers in your area or with shared interests and to be part of our volunteering community.

CogniX

CogniX leverages innovative technology to provide accessible, personalized mental healthcare solutions across Africa, empowering individuals and communities to improve their well-being.

CogniX addresses the critical social challenge of limited access to mental healthcare across Africa. With a significant shortage of mental health professionals and widespread stigma surrounding mental health, millions of people in underserved communities lack the support they need. Our platform bridges this gap by providing accessible, affordable, and culturally sensitive mental health solutions. By empowering individuals and communities to prioritize mental well-being, we aim to reduce stigma, improve mental health outcomes, and foster healthier, more resilient communities across Africa. Additionally, our approach promotes environmental sustainability by reducing the need for physical infrastructure in delivering mental health services.

CogniX offers a transformative solution to Africa’s mental healthcare crisis through our comprehensive mobile platform, "Beyond Self." The app connects users with licensed mental health professionals via teletherapy, offering accessible and affordable care regardless of geographic location. Our AI-powered recommendation system matches users with the best-fit therapists based on their needs, while features like mental health tracking, community support, and educational content foster ongoing wellness. Additionally, Beyond Self includes e-pharmacy integration, crisis support, and the use of emerging technologies like VR/AR for immersive therapy experiences, ensuring a holistic and scalable approach to mental health in Africa.

Fundraising Strategist

Role Description

CogniX is seeking a motivated Fundraising Strategist to drive our funding efforts for mental healthcare initiatives. The ideal candidate will develop and implement innovative fundraising strategies, identify potential funding sources, and cultivate relationships with donors and partners. Experience in grant writing and knowledge of fundraising best practices will be required.

Note: Volunteers may transition to full-time roles after funding and will receive professional references to support their career advancement with mentorship and networking opportunities.

Key Qualities: • Excellent communication, organizational skills, creativity in fundraising approaches, passion for mental health.

Weekly Time Commitment

4-6 hours per week

Duration of Volunteer Role

3-5 months remotely