Volunteer Support Worker - Swadlincote in Buxton

PLEASE NOTE although the contract length is listed as 1 month, there is potential extension of the contract until 31st March 2027 pending confirmation. The CSDI service is an inclusive and supportive out-of-hours crisis service that provides a safe and welcoming alternative to A&E for any person who self-defines as needing immediate help with their mental health and emotional wellbeing. It has been designed to help people experiencing a mental health crisis to de-escalate, re-centre and refocus in a safe, non-medicalised environment.

The purpose of this volunteer role is to work alongside the contracted support workers delivering our stated services.

To deliver the CSDI service by providing person-centred mental health support and information to people who would have otherwise had to attend A&E for help. This will include providing a supportive and safe environment, supporting clients to identify their individual needs, providing advice and information, and, in partnership with the client, agree flexible and realistic crisis support and safety plans and encouraging positive steps towards management of crisis and future crisis prevention.

Derbyshire Mind is your local independent mental health charity. We provide a range of community mental health and wellbeing services designed to support people with mental health problems, improve mental health and wellbeing and to help promote better mental health and wellbeing for all throughout the population of Derby and Derbyshire.

• To follow agreed CSDI systems, processes and procedures.
• To proactively recognise the indicators of deteriorating mental health and facilitate appropriate action, whilst liaising with relevant agencies (for example, 999, On-Call Teams, CMHTs).
• To signpost and refer clients to local services, so that they can support and improve their mental health and hopefully not reach crisis point again.
• To initiate and maintain good channels of communication and information sharing with all members of the team.
• To work positively as part of the Derbyshire Mind team and the wider multi-disciplinary and multi-agency crisis alternatives team.
• To complete all requested and compulsory training.
• To accurately and efficiently record data for contact, case notes and safety plans within the required timescales on the relevant recording systems.
• To proactively be responsible for your own self-care.
• To attend regular supervision, whole-team meetings and engage in reflective practice sessions.

• Compassionate, supportive and sensitive approach.
• Reliable, creative and flexible, with a 'can-do' attitude.
• Values people and sees their potential, worth and strengths.
• Develops effective and trusting relationships, characterised by respect, being non-judgemental, and not making assumptions about the person's experiences and beliefs.
• Highly motivated and able to learn quickly, willing to seek advice appropriately and accept supervision and training as required.
• Emotionally resilient and has own self-care practices and methods.

N/A

• Experience of providing compassionate wellbeing support to adults in a community or other setting.
• Experience of helping people experiencing emotional distress and low self-esteem.
• Experience of working on your own initiative and as a member of a team.
• Experience of supporting individuals one-to-one and via group work.

• Ability to gather and interpret information, problem-solve, make decisions and act.
• Knowledge of common mental health conditions and issues affecting adults with mental health issues.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to communicate with different range of cognitive abilities (for example, learning difficulties, age difference, language differences, non-verbal clients).
• Understanding of working within safeguarding, data protection, confidentiality and equality frameworks.
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
• Knowledge of de-escalation techniques and resources.
• Ability to seek and acquire knowledge of local services available to clients.
• An understanding of the principles, philosophy and practical applications of the Person-Centred Approach.
• An understanding of the issues faced by individuals from minority groups.

• Understanding the need for confidentiality and where to set the boundaries for confidentiality.
• Be a role model of best practice and promote professional boundaries.
• Genuine interest in and commitment to Derbyshire Mind's work and client population.
• Strong commitment to equality and diversity.
• Strong commitment to the involvement of people who use services, social inclusion, recovery and partnership working.
• Strong commitment to the values and ethos of Derbyshire Mind.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£1 a year Voluntary role - expenses paid only