Volunteering

• Do you have a minimum of two hours spare each week?
• Are you interested in helping people lead independent, fulfilling lives?
• Would you like to learn about Mental Health?

If so please telephone: 01708 457777. We can help you today.

Over 65's

Our elder clients can often suffer extreme isolation due to physical frailties and this may increase their mental distress. The aim of this scheme is to enhance the person's life by visiting them regularly and providing friendship.

Children and Adolescent Mentoring Scheme

This project is aimed at 10-18 year olds. The young people are referred to us by the education department and social services and are seen as needing some outside social support. As a mentor your role would be to encourage that young person to reach their potential by exploring goals together and encouraging their ambitions. We would ask that you spend two to three hours per week with them either in a social activity or visiting our drop-in centre together.

Befriending Schemes

This scheme was set up in January 1996 with the aim of alleviating some of the isolation suffered by people with severe health problems.

Our clients' diagnoses cover a wide spectrum from phobias to depression and anxiety but all have a common link in that they find it difficult to enter into social activities that most of us take for granted. We try to help the client overcome this by introducing them to a volunteer who will act as a befriender.

Volunteers will initially visit the client at their home for an average of 1-2 hours per week. Eventually it is hoped that the volunteer will accompany the client to agreed leisure activities. Once the introduction is made and both parties are happy to continue, we ask that the volunteer gives a minimum commitment of 6 months. However, there is no set rule on how long the relationship should last.
 

All volunteers are given training, and a Criminal Records Bureau check is made. References are taken up before they are introduced to a client. Ongoing support is provided in the form of monthly support group meetings and from the Scheme Co-ordinator who is available out-of-hours.

In exchange for your time we offer:

• all out of pocket expenses
• regular support
• free training
• a rewarding experience

f pocket exee traininga rewarding expence.

Other Volunteering opportunities

Volunteering in centres, board of directors, admin support, fundraising, garden project.

Donations

If you wish to make a donation to us please click here to download a Gift Aid form.