Single Point of Access (SPOA) Volunteer

Amazing, giving, inspiring and awesome are just a few of the words we would use to describe our volunteers.

Our volunteers play an integral part in the services we provide and the people we support. If you are looking for a rewarding role where you will really make a difference whilst gaining experience along the way, then join us here at Rethink Mental Illness.

About the role

We are looking for Single Point of Access Volunteers to support our Derbyshire Recovery and Peer Support Service (DRPSS). You will be based at The Croft in Ripley and, ideally, you will be able to commit up to 4 hours per week to volunteering.

You will receive training and regular supervision to ensure you feel confident in your role. You can read more about the benefits of volunteering on the full advert on our website.

About the service

We support people who are having difficulties with their mental health by offering targeted goal-focused support, developing peer support and volunteer opportunities across Derbyshire, and also peer support groups.

We offer

• Targeted support through one-to-one and group sessions.
• Self-help and peer support
• Telephone support
• Advice and information on mental illness. 
• Recovery education
• Social activities in the local community
• Signposting to other sources of community and specialist support

Our Single Point of Access is open from 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday

What you will be doing as a Single Point of Access Volunteer

• Help organise and file documents for the DRPSS service
• Provide basic advice, guidance and telephone support via SPOA line
• Offer signposting and referral options as required
• Upload documents to our systems
• Follow up on ‘On Hold’ referrals, updating information as required 
• Help to respond to emails and organise the DRPSS outlook inbox
• Provide updates to those individuals currently on a waiting list for service

What will make you a great fit for this role?

• Excellent communication skills 
• Basic IT Knowledge
• Able to relate to people from all backgrounds and the ability to remain non-judgmental
• Understanding the importance of confidentiality
• Organisational skills
• Good local knowledge of mental health support

Who are we? 

We’re Rethink Mental Illness, a leading charity provider of mental health services in England. We support thousands of people through our groups, services, policy, campaigns and advice and information. Our work supports us in delivering on our mission: “A better life for everyone severely affected by mental illness.”     

It is an exciting time to join our growing charity. We are on a transformation journey, one that supports the delivery of the organisation strategy – delivering Communities that Care. Supporting employees, managers and leaders through this change is a key priority for the People function. Just like its key that we attract diverse people to come and work for us.     

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion   

Diversity is important to us and we appreciate difference through difference, inclusiveness and belonging. It gives us a deeper understanding of the world, our society and the diverse communities we’re working with. By including everyone, we are able to draw on the unique experiences and expertise of our people to help shape and enrich our workplace and improve our services. One way we are doing is through our valued staff networks which play a critical and highly valued role in keeping us focused on creating a diverse, inclusive and engaged employer.  We recognise and support staff networks for our Black, Asian and minority ethnic and our LGBTQIA+ colleagues. We are also proud to have been awarded Disability Confident Employer status and are a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter.   

Becoming a truly anti-racist organisation   

We have an ambition of become a truly anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider - and in our efforts to influence policy and wider societal factors impacting on mental health set out in our anti-racist statement . We have designed a multi-year anti-racist programme of work contained in our Race Equality Action Plan which demonstrate our intention to hold ourselves accountable and be judged on our progress on becoming a truly anti-racist organisation.   

We therefore actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including applicants with lived experience, those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (or questioning), Intersex and (asexual) (LGBTQIA+), people with a disability, and people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.