Volunteering Opportunity: Mental Health Buddy with MIND in Mid Herts

Before you can register your interest for this opportunity you must be registered as a volunteer.

Be a Buddy! And meet weekly (on a one to one basis) with people who are experiencing mental health difficulties.

Opportunity Type: Long-term Commitment

District: St Albans, Stevenage, Welwyn/Hatfield

Start Date: 02/09/2024
End Date: 01/06/2025

Location: Outdoor

Time of day: Weekday Mornings, Weekday Afternoons

Practical Considerations: N/A

Requirements: Will require a criminal record check (DBS)

Suitable for: Aged 26 and over

Suitable for volunteers interested in: Mental Health

Does this opportunity provide wheelchair access?: No

Full Description:
We are looking for mental health buddies to provide a professional, supportive relationship to people being referred to the new Suicide Prevention Service and will meet their client on a weekly basis for a time-limited period. During this time, the Buddy will support their individual to develop independence and resilience using self-help techniques. By providing a person-focussed approach, the individual will be matched to the most appropriate Buddy who will help them to achieve goals set out in their safety/needs plan. This will also include supporting access to wider organisations and other local resources.

Each match-up will last on average 6-8 weeks before moving to a new person (some flexibility may be required). Being a Mental Health Buddy means giving some of your time to someone who will be in a difficult place; listening, being reliable, offering hope and ultimately supporting them to develop self-help skills and engage in activities with the aim to better manage their mental health.

Main tasks:

· To support people to progress, through active listening and other interventions such as CBT to support individuals to achieve their goals

· To support people to be more resilient through development of self-help skills to manage their mental health

· To motivate and encourage individuals to participate in community activities and make use of local resources

· To support people to attend peer support groups, either with MiMH or other external community support groups/services

· Commitment to attend all the training required, and regular de-briefing and supervision with the Project Officer managing this service

We are looking for volunteers who have the following attributes:

· Friendly, open manner

· Self-motivation

· Excellent communication skills

· Honest, reliable and punctual

· Sensitive towards people/their difficulties

· Confidentiality

· Empathy, is understanding and non-judgemental

· Able to work independently

· Has an appreciation/understanding of mental health concerns

· Enthusiastic with a positive attitude

· Willing to travel within Hertfordshire

This is a wonderful opportunity to make a difference and give back to the local community.