Location: Bristol (on-foot patrols and/or Listening Hub, near Cabot Circus)
Term: Minimum 12 months
Shift Frequency - Four hours per month minimum to cover one patrol shift. Patrols are organised via a rota, with flexibiltiy of which shifts you are able to sign up to each month to suit your schedule.
About Hope Against Suicide
Hope Against Suicide is an award winning Bristol-based, volunteer-led mental health charity committed to preventing suicide and supporting community wellbeing. We provide emotional support and crisis response to those experiencing mental health struggles, whether through proactive street-based outreach or meaningful conversations in our Listening Hub.
Why the Team Lead Role Matters
The Team Lead plays a critical role in in ensuring our shifts run smoothly, safely, and compassionately. You will be the designated lead during your shift, responsible for overseeing a small team of 2–3 volunteers. Your role includes coordinating incident responses where required, ensuring best practices and de-escalation, and helping to maintain a calm, supportive environment for both the public and your team.
You’ll follow established protocols and processes while being empowered to make on the ground decisions and escalate situations appropriately.
Key Responsibilities
• Lead and support your team of 2–3 responders during each shift.
• Engage with vulnerable individuals, including those in early stages of mental health decline or at risk of suicide. Support may range from having a friendly chat to carrying out crisis interventions.
• Ensure shift data is anonymously recorded and shared with the Response Manager before the end of each shift.
• Report incidents and risks in a timely manner.
• Provide a pre-shift briefing and post-shift debrief to your team.
• Ensure your team has everything they need to start the shift confidently.
• Check in with your team after emotionally challenging shifts, prioritising volunteer wellbeing,
• Model good practice in mental health response, in line with our values: hope, compassion, neutrality, inclusivity, and a people-first approach.
• Attend mandatory training and participate in ongoing development to strengthen your leadership and frontline skills.
Qualities and Experience We’re Looking For
We welcome individuals from all backgrounds who are confident in offering support and capable of leading a team with kindness, clarity, and emotional intelligence.
You may have professional, voluntary or lived experience in one or more of the following areas:
• Mental health support, suicide prevention, or crisis intervention
• Counselling, social work, nursing, support work or peer support
• Safeguarding and trauma-informed practice
• Supporting individuals facing homelessness or social isolation
• Managing emotionally charged or high-pressure situations
• Leading frontline or operational teams in a similar environment
You will also bring:
• Confidence in guiding others and making calm, informed decisions
• Strong communication and team-building skills
• A compassionate, non-judgemental and inclusive mindset
• Willingness to escalate concerns and seek support when needed