Onside Advocacy (Bromsgrove & Redditch)
Description of the role
As part of the transformation of neighbourhood community mental health services in Worcestershire, Onside, Worcestershire Association of Carers and Springfield MIND are working in collaboration to provide a range of support designed to address the wider social and practical needs of people living with mental ill health.
We have two volunteer roles in CMH:
- CMH Mentor Volunteer
- CMH Peer Support Mentor Volunteer
In both roles we are looking for volunteers who have had a relevantly positive experience or perception of mental health services and be far enough into their mental health journey. They need to be open to sharing their experiences while understanding and upholding their own boundaries. They need to be able to empathise and actively listen. To be able to ask for support and guidance when needed.
Main responsibilities for both roles:
- To offer support to people who have been signposted to community support (e.g. walking groups, choirs, art groups), information and advice.
- This may include practical support on travel planning and support at appointments.
- To offer support helping a patient access and engage in volunteering opportunities.
- To provide support, reassurance, and accountability via check ins on telephone or face to face meetings
- Reassurance and validation to how their match is feeling by actively listening and providing personal examples where appropriate.
- To offer support in both individual and group peer support settings If the service user is experiencing significant and persistent low mood, or relapse back into old patterns of thinking and behaving feeling, the volunteer will discuss this with the CMH Volunteer Coordinator and this will be escalated up to the CMH LW, CMH Team Leader and/or Service Manager.
- Sharing how they felt when they left similar services (without taking away from the persons current feelings and experience). What they did at the time, and how this has evolved – what they do now that supports their mental health journey.
- To use appropriate systems for data capture and reporting.
Practical Considerations
- This opportunity is across Worcestershire but you may opt to only support people local to you. Mileage and expenses are paid.
Any specific requirements
- Any other additional requirements will be discussed with you and the organisation.
Where is the opportunity based?
This opportunity is across Worcestershire but you may opt to only support people local to you.
When is the opportunity available?
Volunteering days available to be discussed between you and the organisation. We recruit on a rolling basis. Full training and support are available.
About the organisation
ONSIDE is a charity working across Worcestershire and Herefordshire, established in 1993 stemming from a belief that everyone has the right to be a valued human being and to be treated in a just and fair way.
In support of this belief we provide a range of support and services to ensure fairness and equality for adults who may be vulnerable, disadvantaged or discriminated against. This includes mental and physical ill health, sensory impairment, learning disability, drug and alcohol misuse, older people, and carers. ONSIDE is funded through a range of sources to maintain its independence and ensure that the support it provides reflects the views and perspective of the people it wishes to help.
We make a difference to the lives of over 11,000 people a year through our dedicated team of experienced staff and volunteers recruited, trained and supported to work as advocates, mentors, befrienders and appropriate adults.
Bromsgrove and Redditch Network 