LGBTQ+ Mental Health Volunteer

We are currently recruiting volunteers to support our Mental Health services, which include group co-facilitators, initial appointment hosts, activity facilitators, mental health plan facilitators.

HeadsOut is a strengths-based crisis prevention, intervention and wellbeing LGBT+ support service.
Our aim is to enhance people’s wellbeing and functioning by focusing on their strengths and resources, reinforcing resilience and enhancing protective external factors, including creating safe spaces, community connection, a sense of belonging, empowerment and affirmation.

By joining the HeadsOut Team you will:
• Support people who experience mental distress
• Make a positive contribution to the LGBT+ community
• Be given relevant training and support

elop’ s Mental Health Plans

Developed to be delivered over six structured sessions on a one-to-one basis, a mental health plan helps clients recognise their own resources, identify early signs of distress, share new structured tools that support them staying on the side of wellness and prevent them from spiralling into crisis. As a mental health volunteer, you will be making a positive difference by helping vulnerable people to improve their quality of life and empower them to prevent deterioration, facilitate improvement and better manage their mental health experience.
This role includes:

• Supporting people to create a personalised mental health plan
• Delivering 6 sessions of 60 minutes
• Preparing session notes and final mental health plans from template resources
• De-brief and planning sessions
• Signposting
• Participating in training and reflective practice sessions

Person Specification
• Experience of supporting people with mental distress (essential)
• Qualification or training in mental health, counselling, psychology, social work (desirable)
• Active listening skills, empathy and professionalism
• Excellent verbal and written skills
• Non-judgemental, empathic and open approach
• Ability to work one-to-one
• Minimum commitment of 6 months for 1.5 hours+ a week

 

ReCharge Mental Health Support Group – Volunteer Co-Facilitator

This group runs every Monday from 10.30-12.00 in Walthamstow. It offers a weekly facilitated session for people from the LGBTQ+ community who experience difficulties with their mental health. The group is a drop-in space where people can get peer support; share experiences; and have access to strategies to help them maintain their health and wellbeing.

This role includes:
• Working alongside a member of the HeadsOut Team
• Co-facilitating the weekly group
• Contributing to planned activities
• Participating in training and reflective practice sessions

Person Specification
• Ability to commit to 6 months of 2.5 hours a week on Mondays from 10.30-12.00.
• Experience of supporting people who are experiencing mental distress
• Good active listening skills and empathic engagement
• A non-judgemental approach
• Willingness to take initiative and facilitate a group of diverse individuals

Imago: Trans, Non-Binary Support Group – Volunteer Co-Facilitator

Imago is a peer support group for trans, non-binary and non-cisgender people offering a safe, identity affirming space for support to improve their mental health, emotional and social well-being and through community connection. Imago aims to support members with shared struggles and challenges that they may commonly face as non-cis people, to help them find and celebrate genuine joy and self-confidence. It meets every Wednesday between 7pm and 8:30 pm, currently online via Microsoft Teams.

This role includes:
• Working alongside a member of the HeadsOut Team
• Co-facilitating the weekly group
• Contributing to planned activities
• Participating in training and reflective practice sessions

Person Specification
• Ability to commit to 6 months of 2.5 hours a week on Wednesdays from 6.45pm-8.45pm
• Experience of supporting people who are experiencing mental distress
• Good active listening skills and empathic engagement
• A non-judgemental approach
• Willingness to take initiative and facilitate a group of diverse individuals