Volunteering to Support Mental Health

Volunteer to help someone take their next step on their mental health journey. The opportunities we have listed may be specific to a particular group of people who are being supported for other reasons than mental health.  But in each case the client’s wellbeing and mental health is a factor in the support you will be giving and your experience and understanding in this area will be key assets to those you are supporting.

If you are interested in any of the opportunities here, click on the link with each description to reach the full Simply Connect Volunteering description. From here you can register your interest (using the green button on the top right of the page).  If you have any difficulties, or would like to talk about volunteering to one of our  advisors, do get in touch:

email: volunteering@cvsbeds.org.uk   or call us on 01234 354366

Carers in Bedfordshire

Carers in Bedfordshire aims to give unpaid carers access to the support, information and skills that enhances their wellbeing and enables them to remain in a caring role for as long as they choose.

Some current volunteering opportunities:

• Carer support – Bedford. You will provide support to Carers as part of the Early Response Team in Carers in Bedfordshire’s friendly office, talking to carers by telephone - finding out their situation so that the charity can work out how best to support them.  You will need to be friendly, confident and empathetic.  It is a flexible role which offers experience of and insight into the health and social care sector.
• Counsellor – Bedford, Biggleswade. This role is for a fully qualified Person-Centred Counsellor with up to date CPD.  The charity offers short-term person-centred counselling for carers and want counsellors to gently encourage carers to talk about what’s going on for them and help identify how to change or manage things in a different way going forward. You will offer face to face counselling, phone counselling or video link sessions using Zoom.
• Dementia telephone befriender – any location. You will develop a rapport with a number of carers whom you will telephone regularly, providing companionship and a link to the outside world. A friendly companion can be all it takes to recharge someone’s batteries.

Cruse

Cruse Bereavement Support Bedfordshire helps people through one of the most painful times in life – with bereavement support, information and campaigning.

Offer support to those who have been bereaved:

• Bereavement Support – different locations. As a volunteer you will sit alongside bereaved adults, listen to their stories and help them through some very difficult times.  Empathy and communication skills are key. Training for the role takes place over six days.  The service is remote, via telephone or zoom.

FACES

FACES supports local children and families faced with difficult issues such as mental and physical health, domestic abuse, poverty, child sexual exploitation and behavioural issues via a range of quality-tested services and family support groups, many led by the team of dedicated volunteers.

Some current volunteering opportunities - you will need to be a parent yourself and able to attend a volunteer training course run over 8 weeks:

• Home Visiting Supporter - We are always looking to recruit home-visiting volunteers who are parents themselves or have experience of working with children and/or families to support families with children aged 0-19 and who are struggling to cope for one reason or another. Support is tailored to a family’s needs and there may be a mental health issue.  You will be carefully matched to a family according to the level you feel you can work at, and well supported.
• Family Groups Supporter – Bedford. We are looking for volunteers to help at our family support groups which run on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings. The FACES family support groups are for families who do not usually access other services and are experiencing a variety of difficulties. You will be supporting families in a group environment and under supervision.

Home-Start Central Bedfordshire

Home-Start helps young children and their families who are struggling with physical and mental ill health, disabilities, bereavement and domestic abuse.

Some current volunteering opportunities:

• Home Visiting - You would visit a family in their own home once a week for a couple of hours. The duties range from just talking and listening to more practical support such as meal planning and cooking or reading to children and visiting the local park. You will need experience in bringing up children and just be on hand to support in whatever way is needed without being judgemental.
• SEND Parent Mentor  - As someone with experience with children with SEND, you will know the mental stress this can put parents under.  The role is to offer temporary one to one support, as someone who “gets it”, to other parents with children with additional needs.

Minds2gether

Minds2gether is a mental health support group which runs from Grove Corner where we can have a good old natter, a catch-up, a quiet time, a time to craft and time and space to relax and feel confident and comfortable. Our wellbeing is important to us.

Offer support in running this group which runs on Wednesday and Friday mornings:

• Helper – Dunstable, A volunteer is needed to help run the peer support group which is open twice a week in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, England.  You should have either professional or lived experience in dealing with mental health issues.

POhWER

POhWER is a charity and membership organisation providing information, advice, support and advocacy to people who experience disability, vulnerability, distress and social exclusion.

Offer support by becoming an advocate:

• Advocate – Bedford. A volunteer advocate helps a vulnerable person by supporting them to speak up for themselves and make informed and realistic choices in their lives. This role needs a good listener, and someone who can be assertive and speak up for the client when required. Advocacy support is offered when a person is having difficulties or going through a period of change in their life.

Time to Talk Mental Health

Time to Talk Mental Health UK is a UK Registered Charity, that provides a confidential and safe platform for people who are suffering with poor mental health to find support from each other. The charity Is operated by people with lived experience rather than professional health workers.

Offer support by becoming a moderator:

• Moderator We are looking for enthusiastic and empathetic volunteers to help moderate the Time to Talk Mental Health UK Facebook peer support group.  Volunteer moderators ensure that peer-to-peer group members are listened to and supported without judgement, with empathy and kindness. They take shifts to be on duty offering a minimum of 4.5 hours per week.  The role is home based.

Transitions UK

Transitions UK supports vulnerable young people aged 14 – 25 years who are struggling with personal disadvantage. They work especially with young people who have learning disabilities and special needs; those with emotional and mental health issues; those leaving care; and those at risk of offending or criminal exploitation.   

Some current volunteering opportunities:

• Achieve Sessional Volunteer – Luton. We are looking for someone who is able to volunteer their time at the Achieve Hub weekly skills and development sessions on Wednesdays.  You will be supporting young people with mild to moderate learning disabilities and special needs.
• Sessional volunteer – Luton. We are looking for someone who is able to help volunteer their time on Wednesday or Thursday evenings, befriending, buddying and mentoring young people with mild to moderate learning difficulties to make a positive transition to a better life.