Mental Health Volunteer Roles in West Kensington, Greater London

Are you passionate about making a difference and shaping the future for young lives? Are you a professional interested in developing your own mentoring skills?

Mentoring can be a rewarding way to ‘give back’ and share your experiences with someone who could really benefit from hearing an informed, consistent and fresh perspective…possibly something they haven’t had before.

We’re delivering ‘Developing Futures’ a funded 12-week e-mentoring programme for young people aged between 18-24 years from ethnic minority backgrounds and facing mental health challenges, in the London Boroughs of Barnet, Brent, Ealing, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow and Haringey.

We are now seeking new mentors for the programme! We would like individuals from a range of different backgrounds who have the capacity to give a few hours per month to support their mentees. As a mentor you’ll receive Mental Health Awareness, Safeguarding and Mentoring training via webinars ahead of full enrolment. The e-mentoring will happen via regular texts and calls using Brightside’s online youth mentoring platform.

The programme is funded by the Mayor of London’s #NewDealForYoungPeople scheme, in collaboration with Propel, and also supported by the Social Business Trust.

Purpose of the Role

This volunteer role is a key part of the HFEH Mind team delivering a range of services across Hammersmith and Fulham, Ealing and Hounslow. We support clients with mental health with both clinical and non-clinical interventions.

Compass is a service designed to support adults (18 years and over) in H&F and Hounslow. The service provides support with welfare benefits, debt, housing and well-being/peer support groups/workshops.

The Ealing Pathways service is designed to support adults (18 years and over) with stable mental illness to stay well and avoid acute admission in the borough of Ealing. The service provides support with welfare benefits, debt, housing and well-being advice service.

As a part of this, we are looking for volunteers to support with both services. The role of the volunteer includes supporting with onboarding and contacting clients onto our services as well as completing administrative tasks.

Main Responsibilities

To work closely with the Compass/Pathways service team and support the services with enquiries and support the service users to access the service.

• Triage clients for the service through an onboarding process.
• Support with follow up surveys and questionnaires for those who have accessed the project and obtain their feedback to improve our services.
• Support the Compass/Pathways team to promote the service to the local community.
• Support with administrative tasks including recording information onto our database ‘Views’.
• Supporting clients by picking up ‘light touch cases’ e.g. form filling and welfare benefit checks.

Type of person we are looking for:

Essential

• An interest in supporting those with mental health needs to access Compass/Pathways services.
• 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.
• IT skills – able to update spreadsheets, use web-based applications, video-conferencing software, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Preferably have had experience working with people who experience poor mental health.

Time commitment and expenses

• 5 hours per week, during our opening hours of 10am–4pm.  Please indicate your preferred volunteering day(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. 

We are an equal opportunities employer; and are proud to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons from all backgrounds.

HFEH Mind are committed to creating and fostering a culture that promotes safeguarding and the welfare of all children and adults at risk. Our safer recruitment practices support this by ensuring that there is a consistent and thorough process of obtaining, collating, analysing and evaluating information from and about candidates to ensure that all persons appointed are suitable to work with children and vulnerable adults.

Post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Do you have the legal expertise to support world-leading translational research with this grant-making charity empowering smaller charities to achieve their objectives?

Location: London / Hybrid

Time commitment: c.1 day per month

Application closes at 9 a.m. Monday 4th November

Who we are.

The Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust is a grant-making charity endowed by Sir Jules Thorn, who formed one of the UK’s largest electrical businesses. Since its foundation in 1964, the Trust has so far pledge £120m to support projects at many universities, hospitals and charities across the UK.

In keeping with the founder’s wishes, the Trust’s largest grants support translational medical research undertaken in the UK’s leading medical schools and NHS organisations. The Trust also supports projects to integrate and improve care for people living with physical or mental ill health and to help smaller charities provide practical and emotional support to people living with ill health or disability, and to their families and carers.

Who we are looking for.

The Board is seeking to appoint a new Trustee to contribute to the Trust’s work and the development of its strategy for 2025-29. We are looking for someone with legal expertise (ideally with knowledge of the law governing charities and foundations, although this is not a requirement).

Previous experience of operating at the Board level is desirable, and first-time Trustees are welcome to apply.

The role of the Trustees is to safeguard the Trust’s assets and to apply them to our charitable purpose. The Board must always act in the best interests of the Trust, exercising as much care as if they were dealing with their own affairs or looking after the affairs of someone for whom they are responsible. The Trustees should take advice where required to ensure they are fulfilling this duty of care.

In that context, the Board is seeking to appoint a Trustee who has:

• a commitment to the mission and values of the Trust
• strategic vision
• good, independent judgement
• a willingness to speak their mind and respect diverse views
• an understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship
• a commitment to act in accordance with the seven ‘Nolan’ principles of public life, by demonstrating selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership
• an ability to work effectively as a member of a team and to take decisions for the good of the Trust.

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.

Application for this role closes at 9 a.m. Monday 4th November.

Join our amazing volunteer team to raise awareness of sight loss and RNIB services at local events. You’ll be making a real difference to people living with sight loss by helping to create a world without barriers. This face to face opportunity will see you providing information about RNIB services and activities to help people with sight loss live the lives they want, enabling them to hear about the support that is available, and how they can help others. What you’ll be doing • Creating a welcoming and interesting display stand. • Speaking directly to people affected by sight loss. • Being a friendly face of RNIB locally - engaging with a diverse range of people. • Providing information and demonstrations of basic independent living aids for the general public and professionals. What you’ll gain from the role: • An opportunity to give something back. • A chance to build a strong community. • A sense of achievement through the difference you make. • A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people • An opportunity to develop and explore different roles with RNIB, including our internal job vacancies. In return for donating your time we will provide: • A supportive route to building your confidence in meeting members of the public and serving customers. • A rewarding experience. • A great Induction and training. • A supportive manager. • Regular updates and catchups. • Expenses. • An opportunity to connect with other volunteers. In applying for / signing up for this role you agree to be contacted when we are seeking volunteers to help with an event in relation to this role description. We will contact you via a communication method for which you have given consent. If you have any questions or are unsure if this role is right for you.

What skills and experience are needed?

• • An outgoing, friendly approach to meeting new people • An empathetic and professional manner. • Good communications skills with active listening. • An interest in helping people access the information they need.

Chatterbox is a free telephone befriending service for socially isolated and lonely people. Our clients are carefully matched to DBS-checked volunteer befrienders, with whom they exchange supportive, friendly phone calls. They chat about their lives, families and interests.

As a volunteer telephone befriender, you will make one phone call a week to a Chatterbox client for a minimum of 6 months. You will receive 2 hours of induction training, which can be done remotely. You will be required to complete a short log following each client call.

Role Summary:

To provide peer support at resilience group sessions for expectant and new mums (pregnancy up to 1 year) at Children & Family Centres across the London Borough of Bexley, or online via Zoom.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Successfully complete a training course for Mindful Mums Peer Support Volunteer. You will be fully supported during this time and on successful completion will understand different mindfulness, wellbeing, resilience and coping techniques and be confident in leading the peer support within these groups.

2. Prepare for and lead the peer support for a minimum of three Mindful Mums groups (over 5 consecutive weeks). Group dates and times will be discussed with you in advance.

3. Liaise with the Project Coordinator regarding sessions that need volunteers.

4. Contribute to the development of the content of the Mindful Mums sessions based on your experience as a parent.

5. Report any concerns arising from the sessions to the Project Coordinator and, where appropriate, the contact at the venue.

6. Participate in catch-up meetings with the Project Coordinator, group volunteer meetings and training on Safeguarding Children and Adults.

7. Take part in some Mindfulness practise.

8. At all times work in accordance with the organisation’s policies regarding Health & Safety, Equality & Diversity, Safeguarding Children, Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults and Confidentiality & Data Protection.

Person Specification

To undertake the role of Mindful Mums Peer Support Volunteer, you must be able to show that you have the following:

o Experience of having felt stressed, low, anxious or have struggled with your mental or emotional wellbeing in other ways during the perinatal period (pregnancy to 1 year).

o Ability to communicate well with other mums.

o Skills to effectively facilitate sessions.

o Good interpersonal skills.

o Ability to work well in a team.

o Understanding of the pressures and stresses facing pregnant and new mums.

o Willingness to engage in some Mindfulness practise. 

o Willingness to talk from your own experience in an appropriate way.

o Ability to maintain appropriate and professional boundaries.

o A commitment to attend training, support groups and to deliver 5-week programmes in Children & Family Centres across Bexley, or online via Zoom.

Benefits of getting involved

·Being part of a team of local mums, who have all experienced perinatal mental health issues and who want to help pregnant and new mums build skills to manage their mental health in a positive way.

· Delivering an exciting and innovative project that really makes a difference to pregnant women and new mums.

Other Information

Successful applicants will be required to provide details of two references and agree to submit details for and undertake a Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check.

The majority of courses will be run during school term times.

Free crèche facilities are sometimes available at the Children & Family Centres.

Reasonable expenses will be paid. 

Induction and training will commence in August 2024. This includes Online and In-person training. 

The Structured Intervention Support (SIS) service offers support for people with high and complex needs.

You will be assisting service users who experience mental distress in one-to-one settings:
-help to resettle in the community on discharge from hospital
-help to develop strategies to improve their quality of life and reduce their dependence on statutory services
-provide personalised key work support to enable people with complex mental health needs progress and maintain independent living.

We are looking for volunteers who can support people with activities for a minimum of 1 day per week. Activities such as:

-Escorting people to appointments/outings/activities or events
-Organisational and administrative tasks – help with budgeting; understanding/applying for welfare benefits; letter writing and form filling; arranging activities/appointments; planning the use of other services such as shopping.
-Supporting people to maintain their homes – reporting/organising repairs; organising a move; signposting and referring to services and activities.
-Ad-hoc support

Treasurer -Boxing Futures

Boxing Futures is a charity which works to improve the physical and mental health and wellbeing of disadvantaged young people. It empowers young people by building positive relationships, developing core soft skills, and increasing confidence and motivation.

Join our amazing volunteer team to make a real difference to people living with sight loss. You’ll be supporting people to come together in a group setting, to benefit from each other’s company, knowledge and encouragement, leading to reduced isolation, stronger networks of support, and new friendships. You can support with either local and regional telephone groups or face-to-face groups. What you’ll be doing: • Meeting and greeting group members on arrival or joining virtually. • Creating a warm and welcoming environment. • Supporting group conversations. • Assisting with group activities (if appropriate). What you’ll gain from the role: • An opportunity to give something back. • A chance to build a strong community. • A sense of achievement through the difference you make. • A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people • An opportunity to develop and explore different roles with RNIB, including our internal job vacancies. In return for donating your time we will provide: • A rewarding experience. • A great Induction and training. • A supportive manager. • Regular updates and catchups. • Expenses. • An opportunity to connect with other volunteers. 

What skills and experience are needed?

• • An interest in group or community work. • A sociable personality. • A commitment to working towards a society where people with sight loss are equal participants.

Alike is a charity with one simple mission: To end the loneliness and isolation that people impacted by cancer experience. We exist to empower our community to make meaningful connections through seamless digital experiences which help people find their sense of belonging. We were created for people impacted by cancer, by people with cancer.

Driven by our mission and inspired by the start-up mentality, we operate with agility and pace. In 2021, we launched our ground-breaking iOS and Android app as a space exclusively for the cancer community to connect. Now we’re looking to scale nationwide, and we need your help to do it. Alike is the only non-for-profit organisation providing a large scale, tailored peer support platform across all ages and diagnoses, whether someone’s facing a sleepless night or a lonely weekend.

We're looking for 1 legal trustee to join our scaling charity! We are particularly interested in people who have a background or experience in UK law, such as IP law or data protection. Read more about what we are looking for in more detail below. If this doesn't sound exactly like you but you feel you have something to give, we'd still love to hear from you. ​

Our Trustees:

Our board of trustees is essential to Alike’s mission. Working as a team, they take shared responsibility for maintaining alignment between our vision, strategy and day-to-day operations. Just as importantly, they support and challenge the executive team, driving Alike’s growth, inspiring new approaches, and helping us scale. Their perspective, insights, passion and collective experience is crucial to our mission as we continue combating loneliness and isolation throughout the cancer community.

Your Responsibilities:

Joining our board of trustees is a commitment to Alike’s mission as well as our products. We need our trustees to not just believe in our potential, but to authentically champion it. Our ideal trustee can clearly envision Alike taking a leading role in combating isolation in the cancer community - and in making a lasting, positive change. We’re looking for active, engaged and experienced trustees to join our existing board during this thrilling period of growth and innovation.

Beyond that, you would be required to collaborate on certain statutory duties (listed below), and to provide advice and guidance throughout Alike’s new initiatives. The power of our board lies in a diversity of viewpoints, so your unique combination of specialist knowledge, skills and experiences is key to success in this role.

We would expect you to contribute this set of skills to the board’s shared responsibility: making sound decisions for the charity’s direction. This would include - but by no means be limited to - scrutinising board papers, leading meetings, chairing discussions and taking an active role in board meetings.

Time Commitment:

• Regular board meetings (6 per year, 3 in-person meetings, 3 virtual)
• Additional time for sub-committee work and strategic planning
• Flexible availability for brief ad-hoc advisory calls or meetings
• Attendance at our Annual General Meeting in central London

Skills and Experience:

• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties and responsibilities of trusteeship
• An understanding of the challenges faced by those living with cancer and the impact of emerging technology in addressing these challenges
• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative working style
• Strategic and critical thinking skills - a problem-solver with a lateral thinking style
• Strong financial literacy 
• An understanding of the tenets of employment law and GDPR compliance at scale 

We need trustees with a diverse range of skills, experience and knowledge, and would love to hear from people who could bring the following:

• Experience in UK law, ideally in employment law, data protection or intellectual property

If you’re interested in joining Alike on our mission to bring comfort, support and community to the millions of people impacted by cancer across the UK, then we would love to hear from you.

You might not necessarily tick every single box - and that’s okay: if you’ve got the passion and you feel confident that this role is for you, please do get in touch anyway. You may still be the perfect fit.

Music has long been held as an effective and soothing way to help relieve stress and improve mental health. Do you have a passion for playing the guitar and would like to teach others?

What you will be doing

• To facilitate guitar lessons for beginners on a 1:1 basis for approximately 30 minutes or in a small group
• Plan each session, in collaboration with those you are supporting
• Lead on logistics and organisation of the sessions alongside the staff team
• Keep a record of attendees, provide feedback, and report any concerns to the staff team

The skills you need

• Experience teaching playing a guitar and the ability to teach at beginner level
• Good communication skills
• Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
• Calm and patient approach

What's in it for you

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

To take an active role in the charity activities.  Responsible for governance, safeguarding and strategic direction of the charity with other board members.  To work in partnership and to support contractors and volunteers helping them to achieve the aims of the organisation.

• Ensure the charity is run in accordance with the governing document, charity law, company law and that the decisions of the board and any other appropriate legislation or regulations are upheld.
• Ensure the charity pursues its objects as defined in its governing document.
• Work within SDAC’s Safeguarding Children and Adults policies at all times.
• Assisting with the development of strategic plans and ensuring the charity operates efficiently.
• Assisting in setting organisational aims and objectives and setting priorities.
• Supporting other trustees in their roles.
• Assisting with reports and being responsible for own secretarial work.
• Attending and actively participating in monthly Zoom board meetings on a Tuesday from 6.30 to 8.30pm and yearly AGM.
• Seek out new opportunities to work with vulnerable residents in Surrey to promote the success of SDAC Ltd.

· Take delegated roles/tasks for the Board as discussed and agreed with the

Chair and report back to the Board.

· Ensure the charity’s confidentiality and safeguarding policies are adhered to with regards to the management of the charity.

· Attending in person meetings with volunteers in Guildford.

Do you have 3 hours a week to provide companionship to those living with a terminal or life limiting illness, Companion volunteers provide a listening ear, emotional support and short respite for carers.

We are recruiting volunteers to coordinate sport and fitness activities to support service users to get active, have fun and move together. Exercising helps strengthens bones and muscles, supports with mental wellbeing, increases self-confidence, self-esteem, and provides opportunities for people to make new friends, try out new sports, activities and learn new skills.

What you will be doing

• Keep a record of attendees, provide feedback and report any concerns to the staff team
• Coordinate a weekly timetable of sports and active games to engage the service users
• General knowledge about wellbeing and how sport affects physical and mental health
• Support the service users to maintain their physical health through exercise
• Support the service users to work as a team
• Plan activities or sports in collaboration with the service users

The skills you need

• Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation.
• Calm and patient approach
• A skilled and qualified sports coach/fitness instructor
• Good communication skills

What's in it for you

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