Mental Health Matters Wales Volunteering Opportunities

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1 Mental Health Matters Wales Volunteering Opportunities Have you thought about becoming a Volunteer? In this handbook you will find volunteer positions to suit your availability or skill level while gaining valuable experience, free training, expenses paid and most importantly to meet new friends!

2 Why volunteer with Mental Health Matters Wales? We can offer a unique volunteer experience through our extensive range of services and projects. Wellbeing Centres Community Companion Cafes Self Harm Self Help Group Moving On Over 50 s Befriending Friends Of Coity Clinic Talking Connections Counselling Service Sessional Volunteers Would you like to: Learn new skills or develop existing ones? Give something back to your local community? Looking for a new challenge or career change? Join a dynamic team of volunteers and meet new people? Volunteering advice and Volunteer Taster Sessions are available by arrangement. 2

3 Wellbeing Centres are drop-in centres that provide a social outlet to anyone experiencing mental or emotional wellbeing difficulties. A range of activities take place at the centres including workshops, music, sport, information and one-toone support. The Community Cafes are open to anyone over the age of 50 with a mental health issue or supporting a friend or family member. We have venues across Bridgend County Borough with days and times to reach as many people as possible. Purpose of the role: To enhance the quality of the time people spend in the wellbeing centres and community cafes. To facilitate social and leisure activities both within and outside the centres. To make and serve refreshments. To ensure the serving area is kept clean and hygienic. To manage the income and expenditure for wellbeing/community cafes. To welcome new and existing people to the centre. To assist people in regaining their confidence by providing practical assistance. 3

4 Organisational Skills/Issues: An ability to work within MHMW s policies. A commitment to personal development and training. An ability to make use of support sessions (supervision and team meetings). To be able to recognise and work within personal and organisational boundaries. To work in a non-discriminatory and non-judgemental way. Understanding of and commitment to anti-discriminatory practice. To be flexible and work on a rota basis. To complete travel expenses sheets and submit them to the Volunteer Coordinator. Personal qualities and values: Good listening and communication skills. Good numeracy skills. Be reliable, consistent and dependable. Ability to manage money accurately. Understanding of basic hygiene. Ability to work with people who are distressed. Willingness to work as part of a team. Willingness to accept guidance in the job and to undertake training as necessary. This includes a willingness to learn from people who use mental health services. Understand the importance of confidentiality. Understand the importance of treating people with dignity and respect. Understand the effects of being labelled as someone with a mental health problem. Commitment to the involvement of people who use a service in the planning and running of the service. 4

5 Self-harm is an umbrella term for any behaviour, action or habit, which can cause damage to your health. The Community Voice Self Harm Self Help Project aims to establish self help groups for people aged 16+ who self harm and provide information and consultation services. There will be clear links to health professionals to discuss long term approaches to reduce self harm incidents. Purpose of the role: To use specific skills and knowledge in specific activities to enhance the experience of people using self-help groups. To provide sessions within the self-help groups on particular areas of expertise to be agreed with the Self-Harm Development Officer. To spend time/share activities with the people in the group. To offer an accepting and understanding presence. To report back to the Self-Harm Development Officer with any suggestions, ideas or concerns. To welcome new and existing people to the group. To assist people in regaining their confidence by providing practical assistance. Signpost people to other organisations. 5

6 Organisational Skills/Issues: An ability to work within MHMW s policies. A commitment to personal development and training. An ability to make use of support sessions (supervision and team meetings). To be able to recognise and work within personal and organisational boundaries. To work in a non-discriminatory and non-judgemental way. Understanding of and commitment to anti-discriminatory practice. To be flexible and work on a rota basis. To complete travel expenses sheets and submit them to the Self-Harm Development Officer. Personal qualities and values: Warmth and ability to engage with people. Good listening and communication skills. Be reliable, consistent and dependable. Ability to work with people who are distressed. Willingness to work as part of a team. Willingness to accept guidance in the job and to undertake training as necessary. This includes a willingness to learn from people who use mental health services. Understand the importance of confidentiality. Understand the importance of treating people with dignity and respect. Awareness of the importance of social inclusion and involvement in community activities. Ability to work in an empowering way and to enable people to identify their own choices and to make their own decisions. Understand the effects of being labelled as someone with a mental health problem. Commitment to the involvement of people who use a service in the planning and running of the service. 6

7 Moving On Over 50 s Befriending Project is a free service provided by Mental Health Matters Wales. The project supports people over 50 years of age, living in Bridgend County Borough who experience emotional/mental health related disorders and/or have a learning disability. Those over 50 sometimes experience a decline in social networks due to retirement, bereavement, relationship breakdowns or failing health which can lead to an increased sense of isolation. The Befriending Project provides support through volunteer Befrienders to help those befriended lead a better quality of life and actively engage in their local community. This project is funded by The Big Lottery Fund and facilitated by the Befriending Coordinator and Befriending Facilitators. Purpose of the role: To spend time/share activities with the person being befriended. To offer an accepting and understanding presence. To help the befriended person to create new opportunities and access community services (including education, leisure facilities and local events). To report back to the Befriending Coordinator with any suggestions, ideas or concerns. 7

8 Organisational Skills/Issues: An ability to work within MHMW s policies. A commitment to personal development and training. An ability to make use of support sessions (supervision and team meetings). To be able to recognise and work within personal and organisational boundaries. To work in a non-discriminatory and non-judgemental way. To complete travel expenses sheets and submit them to the Befriending Coordinator. Personal qualities and values: Warmth and ability to engage with people. Be reliable, consistent and dependable. Have an understanding of how poor mental health can affect all people living in the community. Have a positive attitude towards people who may experience mental health disorders/learning disabilities. Have an ability to appreciate differences such as race, gender, sexuality etc. Be able to provide companionship and friendship in a reassuring and supportive way. 8

9 Friends of Coity Clinic provide support for patients in Coity Clinic, enabling them to have an independent voice on the service they receive. Volunteers will support patients in getting their views heard, enabling them to give feedback on the service they receive at Coity Clinic. Purpose of the role: To support hospital in-patients in accessing and engaging in the activities at Coity Clinic. To visit people in Ward 14 on set days/times with other volunteers. To engage with patients and collate any customer care issues they may have while staying in hospital. In conjunction with ward staff provide relevant information about ward activities. Provide information about other services available for patients during their stay in hospital. Signpost patients to other organisations. 9

10 Organisational Skills/Issues: An ability to work within MHMW s policies. A commitment to personal development and training. An ability to make use of support sessions (supervision and team meetings). To be able to recognise and work within personal and organisational boundaries. Understanding of and commitment to anti-discriminatory and non-judgemental practice. Personal qualities and values: Good listening and communication skills. Be reliable, consistent and dependable. Ability to work with people who are distressed. Willingness to work as part of a team. Willingness to accept guidance in the job and to undertake training as necessary. This includes a willingness to learn from people who use mental health services. Understand the importance of confidentiality. Understand the importance of treating people with dignity and respect. Awareness of the importance of social inclusion and involvement in community activities. Understanding of the effects of being labelled as someone with a mental health problem. Commitment to the involvement of people who use the service in the planning and running of the service. 10

11 Counselling is a talking therapy that enables a person to find your own answers. The counsellor s role is neither to provide solutions nor to give advice. Counsellor and client work together to explore different ways of dealing with things. Purpose of the role: To provide one to one counselling and competent support in a variety of ways to individuals experiencing a range of mental health issues, and assisting them to move towards an enhanced quality of life. The candidate must demonstrate an ability to work in a multi-agency setting. Have a flexible attitude and show a willingness to understand change from both client and a systems perspective. Essential Requirements: Applicants are to be working towards a recognised qualification in counselling, preferably a degree. Main Duties: Adhering to the BACP ethical framework. Clinical Supervision: Counsellors are required to have a minimum of 1.5 hours of clinical group supervision provided by MHMWales per month as specified by the BACP guidelines. Providing information for monthly statistics on service user numbers and present to Project Co-ordinator. Keep updated handwritten confidential files on service users counselling sessions and review for effectiveness and suitability of the service. 11

12 Consult/update Project Co-ordinator with progress and any issues arising from the services. Other than issuing standard and approved communications and correspondence, not to communicate/correspond with clients or any third parties without firstly seeking agreement from your supervisor or the counselling service. To inform your supervisor, counselling manager, and counselling service of any changes to your studies, academic status, training contacts, personal therapy, or client work, including any additional work placements. General and Professional Responsibilities To act in accordance with MHMWales policies, procedures, guidelines and relevant codes of practice including that of the BACP. To develop and maintain appropriate boundaries of confidentiality with colleagues and clients, working within MHMWales policies and procedures. To maintain client records and information securely and in strict confidence. To contribute to the collation of information as necessary. To maintain high standards of professional integrity and respect for others in all dealings with clients, colleagues and other professionals. To avoid any action or behaviour that may bring the organisation into disrepute. After the first 6 months, an individual review will take place with the Project Co-ordinator, to determine whether or not the placement will be extended with MHMWales. 12

13 Purpose of the role: To use specific skills and knowledge in specific activities to enhance the experience of people using wellbeing centres/community cafes. To provide sessions within the wellbeing/community cafes on particular areas of expertise to be agreed with the volunteer coordinator. Organisational Skills/Issues: An ability to work within MHMW s policies. A commitment to personal development and training. An ability to make use of support sessions (supervision and team meetings). To be able to recognise and work within personal and organisational boundaries. To work in a non-discriminatory and non-judgemental way. Understanding of and commitment to anti-discriminatory and non-judgemental practice. Personal qualities and values: Good listening and communication skills. Be reliable, consistent and dependable. Ability to work with people who are distressed. Willingness to work as part of a team. Willingness to accept guidance in the job and to undertake training as necessary. This includes a willingness to learn from people who use mental health services. Understand the importance of confidentiality. Understand the importance of treating people with dignity and respect. Awareness of the importance of social inclusion and involvement in community activities. Understanding of the effects of being labelled as someone with a mental health problem. Commitment to the involvement of people who use the service in the planning and running of the service. 13

14 As a Mental Health Matters Wales Volunteer you will automatically qualify for free training courses! Basic key skills training will be essential to prepare you for your volunteer role and give you the tools to have an enjoyable and rewarding placement. Further role specific courses will also be available for those wishing to further their knowledge and expertise. You can expect to receive the following training: Introduction to Volunteering Basic First Aid Safeguarding People Listening Skills Bereavement Awareness Befriending Older People who Misuse Alcohol & Drugs Dementia Awareness And many more! Each course is developed in short, repeated sessions to fit into your own schedule. Get rewarded for your time bank your volunteering hours and you will receive certificates to recognise your time given in making a difference to your community! 14

15 Your Emotional Wellbeing Community. Grapevines Bridgend is the go-to site full of information covering Wellbeing services from the whole of Bridgend County Borough. Find information on free and low cost Training, Events, Self Help, Community Venues, Job Clubs and much, much more! Visit us at If you have information to share, contact Follow Grapevines on And Like us on Facebook Join us at one of our Volunteer & Information Open Day events! Get information and volunteering advice. 25 March (10am 2pm) 26 Aug (10am 2pm) 29 April (10am 2pm) 23 Sept (2pm 6pm) 27 May (10am 2pm) 28 Oct (10am 2pm) 03 June (12pm 6pm) 25 Nov (10am 2pm) 29 July (10am 2pm) 16 Dec (10am 2pm) Held at our offices: 63 Nolton Street, Bridgend, CF31 3AE. 15

16 Thank you for your interest in becoming a Mental Health Matters Wales volunteer! To apply for a volunteer position, please complete a volunteer application form and return to: sara.langford@mhmwales.org Mental Health Matters Wales Union Offices, Quarella Road Bridgend, CF31 1JW. Please note all our volunteer positions are subject to references and a Disclosure and Barring Service check. If you wish to discuss any opportunity or require assistance in completing your volunteer application, please call Sara on (01656) / Mental Health Matters Wales Mental Health Matters Wales is a registered Charity Registered Company Number: Charity Number: