Help When You Need It volunteers will assist in supporting women and non-binary folk in Bristol manage their mental health. They will provide a listening ear to clients in the community and, where appropriate, signpost to activities and services that may help improve wellbeing and confidence. Volunteers will provide person-centred and trauma-informed support over the phone, providing some light touch emotional support as well as short term practical support. This role will make a significant contribution to the running of the Help When You Need It service, which is increasingly in demand across the city. In turn, you will gain client facing experience and be part of a fantastic team.
Benefits of the role:
- A sense of making a real difference to the lives of vulnerable women and non-binary people.
- You will be helping to ensure those who need it receive compassionate support while waiting to enter the full Help When You Need It service, meaning clients will be more likely to engage in a meaningful way.
- You will gain insight and experience into the charity sector as well as the mental health/housing sector.
- You will be part of a talented, interesting and vibrant team.
- You will use and develop a range of skills and competencies such as team work and communication.
- You will receive ongoing training and support to ensure you are confident and happy in your role, including induction, on-going support and potential opportunities for development.
- Re-imbursement for reasonable expenses.
- Ability to apply for internally advertised job roles.
Responsibilities:
- Work with the Help When You Need It Team to provide telephone support to those on the waiting list for a Support Worker.
- To carry out Satisfaction Surveys with clients whose period of allocated support has ended, in order to obtain feedback about the service they received.
- To make clear and detailed notes of client’s situations to ensure they receive appropriate support.
- To make onward referrals to other agencies where appropriate.
- To provide general admin support to the team.
- To discuss any concerns re Safeguarding with a manager (safeguarding training will be provided).
Person Specification:
- Fantastic communication skills, particularly on the telephone.
- Experience of working with a diverse group of people.
- An ability to stay calm under pressure
- A desire to gain experience with those struggling with their mental health and some knowledge/ expectation of what challenges you will face.
- An understanding of what it means to be psychologically informed.
- You will have good attention to detail, an organised and methodical approach.
- You will have a non-judgemental and open attitude.
- An ability to be reliable and punctual.
- An ability to work in accordance with, and understand the significance of, our policies and standards, in particular surrounding confidentiality, equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice.
- This role is only available to applicants over the age of 18.
Training and support:
You will receive an induction to cover everything you need to know about the organisation and client group, this may include mental health, domestic abuse and/or sexual abuse training. You will be trained on the importance of confidentiality and safeguarding as well as professional boundaries.
During your volunteering you will always be supervised by a member of staff so support is available at all times. You will also have regular one to ones with your supervisor and the opportunity to discuss any issues or concerns with the volunteer co-ordinator.
The Commitment and Duration:
- This role will consist of one 4 hour shift a week or fortnight and will happen during office hours. (9-5 Monday-Friday)
- Volunteers will ideally commit to supporting us for at least 6 months following training.