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- Tasks: Volunteer as a counsellor, providing vital support to adults facing mental health challenges.
- Company: Join Reach Out for Mental Health, a compassionate charity dedicated to helping those in need.
- Benefits: Make a real difference, gain experience, and be part of a supportive community.
- Why this job: Help individuals find hope and healing while developing your counselling skills.
- Qualifications: Must have a recognised counselling qualification and experience with complex life challenges.
- Other info: Flexible hours, face-to-face or remote sessions, and travel expenses reimbursed.
Join Reach Out for Mental Health as a volunteer therapist / counsellor and help us provide life-changing support to adults in Essex who are struggling with suicidal thoughts and complex trauma.
Your time and expertise will make an enormous difference — not just to the clients you support, but to the heart of our organisation itself. By volunteering with us, you’ll help us reach people who might otherwise fall through the gaps in traditional services, individuals living with suicidal thoughts, complex mental health conditions, and the effects of trauma. Many of them are waiting for long-term NHS therapy or have struggled to find a counsellor who can hold their depth of pain safely. You’ll be that safe space.
Your support will also give our charity the capacity to say “yes” to more people who reach out. Every counsellor who joins us allows us to reduce waiting times, share the load across our team, and continue offering a service that’s free, accessible, and built on compassion and professionalism. Together, we’re creating something special — a community of counsellors who believe that everyone deserves to be heard, to be cared for, and to have hope.
What are we looking for?
- A recognised counselling or psychotherapy qualification
- Registration or accreditation with a recognised body (e.g. BACP, UKCP)
- A minimum of 100 hours of supervised client work (trainee hours count!)
- Knowledge of trauma-informed approaches
- Experience working with adults with complex life challenges
- A warm, reflective and empathetic manner
Bonus Points If You…
- Have worked in voluntary or community-based settings
- Have experience working with adults with trauma/suicidal ideation
- Have a DBS check carried out in the last 3 months or are on the update service
What will you be doing?
We’re looking for qualified counsellors with a warm heart and a steady hand to volunteer up to three hours a week, helping us support people who are living with suicidal thoughts, complex mental health needs, and often the lasting impact of trauma. Our charity provides counselling for clients whose needs are beyond the scope of our student counsellors. You’ll offer safe, consistent, and compassionate support that helps clients feel heard, valued, and understood.
You can choose to work face-to-face across various venues in Essex (we’ll reimburse all travel expenses), or — if you live further away — provide sessions online or by phone, where you already have experience delivering remote counselling. You’ll join a small but deeply committed team of counsellors, trainees, and volunteers who share a passion for preventing suicide and nurturing hope. While you’ll work independently with your clients, you’ll never be alone — we believe in strong supervision, open communication, and a community that looks after each other as much as we do our clients.
Your role will focus on providing high-quality, person-centred counselling — creating a safe space for clients to explore their experiences, build trust, and find their own path toward healing and stability.
Wanted-Volunteer Qualified Counsellors! - Volunteer in Chelmsford employer: Reach Out for Mental Health
Contact Detail:
Reach Out for Mental Health Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Wanted-Volunteer Qualified Counsellors! - Volunteer in Chelmsford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the mental health field and let them know you're looking for volunteer opportunities. You never know who might have a lead or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion! When you get the chance to chat with potential organisations, share why you care about mental health and how your skills can make a difference. Authenticity goes a long way!
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for roles to pop up on job boards. Visit our website regularly and apply directly to any volunteer positions that catch your eye. The sooner you apply, the better your chances!
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews! Brush up on trauma-informed approaches and be ready to discuss your experience with complex life challenges. Show them you’re not just qualified, but also a great fit for their team.
We think you need these skills to ace Wanted-Volunteer Qualified Counsellors! - Volunteer in Chelmsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you write your application, let your passion for mental health shine through! We want to see why you care about helping others and how your experiences have shaped your desire to volunteer with us.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant qualifications and experience. We’re looking for specific skills like trauma-informed approaches and working with complex life challenges, so don’t hold back on sharing those details!
Be Authentic: We value authenticity, so be yourself in your application. Share your personal journey and what led you to become a counsellor. This helps us understand who you are beyond your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this amazing opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives.
How to prepare for a job interview at Reach Out for Mental Health
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re familiar with trauma-informed approaches and the specific challenges faced by adults with complex mental health needs. Brush up on your counselling techniques and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the role.
✨Show Your Heart
This role is all about compassion and empathy. Be prepared to share examples of how you've provided support in difficult situations. Let your warm, reflective nature shine through during the interview.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some questions that show your genuine interest in the organisation and its mission. Inquire about their approach to supervision and team dynamics, as this will demonstrate your commitment to being part of a supportive community.
✨Be Yourself
Authenticity is key! The interviewers want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your personal motivations for wanting to volunteer. This role requires a strong connection with clients, and showing your true self can help establish that rapport.
