Carer Support Volunteer

Your role
Inspiring, supportive, and committed – just a few of the words we\’d use to describe our volunteers.
At Rethink Mental Illness, volunteers are at the heart of what we do. They play a vital role in supporting our services and making a real difference in people\’s lives. If you\’re looking for a rewarding role where you can have a positive impact while developing your own skills and experience, we\’d love you to join us.
About the role
Do you enjoy chatting with people, making them feel welcome, and offering a supportive ear? We\’re looking for friendly volunteers to give around 2 hours a week to help us run our carers\’ groups and activities in Bristol.
As a Carer Support Volunteer, you\’ll:

• Co-facilitate monthly drop-in sessions and activity groups
• Welcome carers and help create a safe, supportive space
• Assist with events (e.g., setting up, registering attendees, making refreshments)
• Share information about upcoming groups and activities

Full training and regular supervision will be provided, so you\’ll feel confident and supported in your role.
About the service
The Bristol Carers Service supports adult family members, partners, and friends of adults living with mental health conditions. We provide one-to-one and group support through phone calls, online sessions, and in-person activities. These include monthly support groups, education sessions, social events, and walks.
The service is delivered by a Service Coordinator and a Hospital Liaison Worker, as part of the wider Rethink Bristol Community team.
What will make you a great fit for this role?

• Being empathetic and non-judgmental

• Understanding the importance of confidentiality
• Being flexible, punctual, and reliable

How to apply
To apply, simply click the \”apply now\” button on the advert on our website and complete a short interest form.
If you have any questions about this role, please get in touch:
Caitlyn Seton (Volunteer Manager) – caitlyn.seton@rethink.org ¦ 07483 913160
Karen Bonney (Carers Service Coordinator) – karen.bonney@rethink.org ¦ 07918 162523
Who are we?
We\’re Rethink Mental Illness, a leading charity provider of mental health services in England. We support thousands of people through our groups, services, policy, campaigns and advice and information. Our work supports us in delivering on our mission: \”A better life for everyone severely affected by mental illness.\”
It is an exciting time to join our growing charity. We are on a transformation journey, one that supports the delivery of the organisation strategy – delivering Communities that Care. Supporting employees, managers and leaders through this change is a key priority for the People function. Just like its key that we attract diverse people to come and work for us.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
Diversity is important to us and we appreciate difference through difference, inclusiveness and belonging. It gives us a deeper understanding of the world, our society and the diverse communities we\’re working with. By including everyone, we are able to draw on the unique experiences and expertise of our people to help shape and enrich our workplace and improve our services. One way we are doing is through our valued staff networks which play a critical and highly valued role in keeping us focused on creating a diverse, inclusive and engaged employer. We recognise and support staff networks for our Black, Asian and minority ethnic and our LGBTQIA+ colleagues. We are also proud to have been awarded Disability Confident Employer status and are a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter.
Becoming a truly anti-racist organisation
We have an ambition of become a truly anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider – and in our efforts to influence policy and wider societal factors impacting on mental health set out in our anti-racist statement . We have designed a multi-year anti-racist programme of work contained in our Race Equality Action Plan which demonstrate our intention to hold ourselves accountable and be judged on our progress on becoming a truly anti-racist organisation.
We therefore actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including applicants with lived experience, those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (or questioning), Intersex and (asexual) (LGBTQIA+), people with a disability, and people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.
The Company
The Company has experienced unprecedented growth over the past few years. We have a vast number of employees, and provide support to clients from all over the country.
What do we value?
Passion
We are passionate about leading the way to a better quality of life for everyone severely affected by mental illness.
Commitment
We work tirelessly to provide support for everyone severely affected by mental illness.
Openness
We are open and transparent in all our work with beneficiaries, supporters, partners and the public to achieve change for people severely affected by mental illness.
Hope
We offer hope of a better quality of life for all those severely affected by mental illness.
Expertise
We constantly use our expertise to provide practical and personal support for people who are severely affected by mental illness.
Understanding
People who are severely affected by mental illness are at the heart of everything we do in our organisation – our membership, our governance and our workforce.
Equity
We believe that in a world where discrimination and disadvantage exist, treating people with equity is critical to ensure justice and fairness for all.
Openness
We are open and transparent in all our work with beneficiaries, supporters, partners and the public to achieve change for people severely affected by mental illness.
Why volunteer with Rethink?
We understand that people volunteer for many different reasons and whatever your reason is for volunteering we\’ll be there to support you every step of the way. You will receive an induction to ensure you feel confident in your role as well as regular supervision. Other benefits of volunteering include:
Training and development opportunities
Have a positive impact your own mental health as well as on others
Meet new people and increase your self-confidence
Enhance your CV and boost your employability. Gain a reference too!
Find a passion
Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
Our volunteers say
\”I was able to gain valuable experience in the mental health field which has helped me to kick-start my career. Overall, the befriending experience is definitely one I would recommend. It has helped me to expand on skills, to make a difference in people\’s lives, and has opened up opportunities for me to progress in my career. \”
\”I am a lived experienced volunteer for Rethink. The thing I find amazing is that my lived experience which includes addiction, prison, and mental health all of which helped me get the role which makes me feel that all the suffering I\’ve gone through has meant something and that makes me feel I\’m respected. The reason I do this role is every time I help someone, I feel I\’m one step away from the person I was to the person I\’m meant to be, I\’m very grateful to Rethink as they helped me to become the best version of myself.\”
\”I am currently completing my training for my volunteer advisory role. The training I have received over the last three months has been fantastic. I have learnt so much which I can use to help friends and family too who are experiencing problems associated with their mental health. The support I have received from my trainer has been faultless. I know this great support will continue beyond my training when I start my new advisory role soon. I highly recommend joining Rethink.\”
\”I lead one of Rethink\’s Carers Support Groups. Connecting with the carers that attend the Carers Support Group is rewarding and educating. Listening to group members as they share their experiences, in the safe, supportive environment provided is a positive cycle. We learn from each other. We support each other. The group and I have the constant and ongoing support of the kind, caring and experienced Rethink team. Volunteering for and contributing to the wellbeing of others is something that to me, feels meaningful. I value that.\”
Please be mindful that we may need to close adverts early if we receive a high volume of applications, we, therefore, encourage you to apply as soon as possible.