At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals affected by mental illness through face-to-face befriending activities.
- Company: Join Rethink Mental Illness, a leading charity dedicated to mental health support.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, receive full training, and make a real difference in your community.
- Other info: Flexible volunteering hours with opportunities for personal growth and community engagement.
- Why this job: Help create a world where no one feels alone and support mental health recovery.
- Qualifications: Lived experience of mental illness and excellent communication skills are essential.
At Rethink Mental Illness, we believe everyone deserves understanding, connection, and the chance to live a fulfilling life. Our volunteers play a vital role in supporting people affected by mental illness and helping create communities where no one feels alone.
As a Community Support Volunteer, you will complete face-to-face befriending activities with service users. You need to be able to travel around the locality in which you live to be able to do this. Ideally, you will be able to commit to a minimum of 1/2 a day (3-4 hours) of volunteering per week on a flexible basis, with the option to increase. You will be working alongside our team of community link workers. There may also be the opportunity to attend different community events to advertise the service. There will be full training opportunities to ensure that you are successful in your volunteering role, as well as regular check-in meetings.
The Empowering Minds Gloucestershire Service currently runs group sessions for service users across Gloucestershire. Our team is dedicated to delivering a high-quality service that focuses on supporting individuals to achieve their recovery goals. The aim is to improve the lives and support independence for those living with a mental illness. The team will engage with other local providers to ensure a clear and seamless pathway for those that require support from multiple providers.
What will make you a great fit for this role?
- Lived experience of mental illness, whether that is caring for someone else or yourself.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Flexibility.
- Experience of working with people in some way, whether formally through employment or informally working as part of a team.
- Basic computer skills.
- Reliability and good timekeeping.
- Good understanding of confidentiality and safeguarding.
Although it’s not essential, you may also have:
- Experience of supporting someone with ill mental health / mental illness.
- Good knowledge of your local area and organisations.
To apply, please click the “apply now” button and complete a short interest form. You will have the opportunity to upload a CV and/or cover letter; however, this is not mandatory. A member of the team will review your application and be in touch to update you on the next steps. If your application is successful, you will be invited to take part in an informal volunteer discussion.
If you have any questions about the role or would like to find out more before applying, please contact the volunteer manager: Beth Morris – Beth.Morris@rethink.org
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.”
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.
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.
We have an ambition of becoming 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.
Community Support Volunteer in Gloucester employer: Rethink Mental Illness
At Rethink Mental Illness, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work culture. As a Community Support Volunteer, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in your local community while receiving comprehensive training and ongoing support from our dedicated team. We are committed to employee growth and diversity, ensuring that every volunteer feels valued and empowered to contribute to our mission of improving lives affected by mental illness.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Support Volunteer in Gloucester
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research Rethink Mental Illness and their community initiatives. This will help you connect your personal experiences with their mission during conversations.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! Since you'll be working face-to-face with service users, role-play scenarios with friends or family to build confidence in your interactions.
✨Tip Number 3
Be flexible! Show that you're adaptable by discussing your availability and willingness to take on different tasks or attend community events when needed.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s super easy to fill out the interest form, and it shows your commitment to joining our team. Plus, you’ll get updates directly from us!
We think you need these skills to ace Community Support Volunteer in Gloucester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself:When 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 motivates you to volunteer with us.
Highlight Your Experience:Make sure to mention any lived experience of mental illness, whether it’s your own or caring for someone else. This is super important for us, as it shows your understanding and empathy towards those we support.
Keep It Clear and Concise:While we love a good story, try to keep your application straightforward. Use clear language and structure your thoughts well, so it’s easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for the Community Support Volunteer role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to hit that 'apply now' button on our website! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application, and we can’t wait to hear from you and hopefully welcome you to our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Rethink Mental Illness
✨Know Your Why
Before heading into the interview, take a moment to reflect on why you want to be a Community Support Volunteer. Understanding your motivation will help you articulate your passion for supporting those affected by mental illness, which is key to connecting with the interviewers.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be ready to share your lived experiences related to mental health, whether it's personal or through caring for someone else. This role values empathy and understanding, so highlight any relevant experiences that demonstrate your ability to relate to service users.
✨Communicate Clearly
Excellent communication skills are essential for this role. Practice answering common interview questions clearly and concisely. Use examples from your past experiences to illustrate your points, and don’t forget to listen actively during the conversation.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare a few thoughtful questions to ask at the end of the interview. This shows your genuine interest in the role and the organisation. You might ask about the training opportunities or how the team collaborates with local providers to support service users.
