At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead community walks, create a supportive space for mental wellbeing discussions.
- Company: Derbyshire Mind, a local charity focused on mental health support.
- Benefits: Gain experience, make a difference, and connect with your community.
- Why this job: Help others while enjoying nature and fostering mental wellbeing.
- Qualifications: Open-minded, empathetic, and passionate about supporting mental health.
- Other info: Flexible volunteering role with training provided and expenses covered.
The predicted salary is between 500 - 1500 £ per month.
Derbyshire Minds MindSpace walks are informal community walk and talks in local parks. They are designed to provide a supportive and empathetic listening group to those that may need it, while benefiting from getting out of the house and into nature for some fresh air. MindSpace is a non-judgemental safe space for attendees to talk about their mental wellbeing struggles or experiences with our caring and empathetic volunteers.
The main purpose of this Walk Leader role is to help all attendees feel welcome within the group, lead a gentle walk around the park, and to provide a safe space for attendees to talk about their feelings and experiences with you and the wider group.
Main duties of the job:- Co-leading mindful, relaxed walk in a local park every 4 weeks (walks currently run fortnightly but you'll be part of a rota and will always volunteer in pairs)
- Supporting the wellbeing of the group while enjoying the walk together.
- Creating a friendly, non-judgemental atmosphere where everyone feels welcome
- Asking attendees how they are feeling and holding space for conversation that may be sensitive or emotional at times.
- Listening to participants with compassion and sensitivity without trying to fix or advise.
- Keeping in touch with our Wellbeing team for any support or questions
- Being a friendly person to chat with, and a positive ambassador for Derbyshire Mind.
About us: 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.
Job responsibilities:- Facilitating a friendly, welcoming, and inclusive environment within the MindSpace group
- Being responsive to the group's abilities and needs when initiating the walk around the park
- Supporting new attendees to register their details with Derbyshire Mind via QR code or registration form online
- Talking with and listening to attendees who may require someone to listen to them and asking each attendee how they are doing
- Treating all attendees with kindness, empathy, understanding and respect
- Providing information about local Derbyshire Mind services and other community groups as necessary
- Working with and alongside other MindSpace volunteers within the group
- Adhering to Derbyshire Mind policies and procedures and the Volunteer Code of Conduct, including our Health and Safety policy and Risk Assessments for the MindSpace groups
- Feeding back about the group regularly to the Mental Wellbeing Services Coordinator via WhatsApp group or email. This includes overall verbal feedback from the group about the session, any concerns, and attendance.
- Attend volunteer induction training (online), familiarise oneself with Derbyshire Mind policies and procedures and undertake necessary and appropriate training / e-learning for the role.
- Being enthusiastic and taking pride in the MindSpace service, and being ready and willing to suggest ways to improve the service further.
Qualifications: N/A
Experience: Possibly has a personal experience of a mild to moderate mental health condition
Skills, Qualities, and Experience: This role is best suited for someone that:
- Is local and has use of a car
- Is available on Thursday mornings
- Is reliable and punctual
- Can build a rapport with a wide range of people
- Is open minded and able to see things from different perspectives including diverse values and beliefs
- Can listen to others in a supportive and non-judgmental way, and without feeling the need to fix or give advice
- Can communicate clearly to others with a friendly and supportive tone
- Can remain calm and professional in sometimes potentially challenging situations
- Can undertake/perform basic first aid
- Understands the importance of boundaries and confidentiality in a role like this
- Has a personal interest in nature and the wellbeing benefits of being outdoors in nature
- Has an interest in helping to support the wellbeing of their local community by creating a friendly and welcoming group
- Is over 18 years old
Disclosure and Barring Service Check: 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.
Voluntary role - expenses paid only.
MindSpace Walk Leader - Chesterfield employer: Derbyshire Mind
Contact Detail:
Derbyshire Mind Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land MindSpace Walk Leader - Chesterfield
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Before your interview, take some time to learn about Derbyshire Mind and their mission. This will help you connect with the values they stand for and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their community.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice active listening! As a Walk Leader, you'll need to be empathetic and supportive. Try role-playing with a friend to practice how you would listen and respond to someone sharing their feelings. This will help you feel more confident during real conversations.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for nature! Since the role involves leading walks in local parks, share your love for the outdoors during your interview. Talk about how being in nature can benefit mental wellbeing and why you think it's important for the community.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We encourage you to submit your application directly on the Derbyshire Mind site. This way, you’ll ensure your application gets to the right people and shows your commitment to joining their team.
We think you need these skills to ace MindSpace Walk Leader - Chesterfield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When you're filling out your application, let your personality shine through! We want to get to know the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your experiences and what makes you passionate about supporting mental wellbeing.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to read the job description carefully and highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role. We love seeing how you can contribute to creating a friendly and welcoming environment for our MindSpace attendees.
Show Your Empathy: Since this role is all about supporting others, it’s important to demonstrate your understanding of mental health issues. Share any relevant experiences or insights that showcase your compassionate nature and ability to listen without judgement.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this rewarding opportunity to make a difference in your community.
How to prepare for a job interview at Derbyshire Mind
✨Know Your Role Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the MindSpace Walk Leader role. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities and how they align with your personal experiences or values. This will help you articulate why you're a great fit for the position.
✨Show Empathy and Understanding
Since this role involves supporting individuals with mental health struggles, be prepared to discuss your approach to empathy and active listening. Share examples from your past where you've successfully created a safe space for others to express their feelings.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Nature and Wellbeing
Express your enthusiasm for the outdoors and how it contributes to mental wellbeing. You might want to share personal stories about how nature has positively impacted your life or how you believe it can benefit others during the walks.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the MindSpace programme, the team you'll be working with, and how they measure success in this role. This shows your genuine interest and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.