Volunteering

11 years ago I first came to Mind as a curious 18 year old who was about to embark on a journey that would transform my life for the better.

Glenn, Service User Champion

Current Volunteering Opportunities

If you have some free time, whether it’s 2 hours per week or 20 hours per week, we would love to hear from you. We are currently looking to recruit volunteers to support us with the following duties:    

Mindline Emotional Support Helpline Call Handler

This will involve supporting people in emotional distress or just need somebody to talk to. This role requires you to commit to supporting the line 4 shifts a month and attending our monthly group supervision.

About the opportunity

This opportunity is ideal for those wanting to improve their listening skills. All training provided including mental health awareness and telephone listening. Gain personal satisfaction and a sense of achievement by experiencing the diversity of telephone support. Applications are encouraged from people who have had experience of mental distress or have an understanding of what mental distress may mean for others. 

What are we looking for?

Good listening skills, must be able to hold a clear conversation for up to 30 minutes at a time. Experience of mental distress is encouraged but not essential as full training will be given

When can you do this role?

Mindline operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and our shifts are flexible enough to fit your timetable.

Volunteering on the Mindline Trans+

If you have lived Trans experience or are a Trans ally and you are interested in volunteering, please contact us.

• Mindline Trans+ helpline call handler: We are looking for people who either identify as Trans/non binary or are a Trans ally with a passion for supporting the Trans community This role requires you to commit to supporting the line at least two nights a month (Friday nights 8pm-Midnight). Email us at [email protected] for more information or a application pack.
• Admin: This will involve assisting with office duties and supporting our wider team. For more information please email [email protected]
• Fundraising: This will involve supporting us with our fundraising events in the community or with partnerships we are developing. For more information you can reach to [email protected]
• Receptionist: To manage the reception desk in the Foyer, welcome people who are visiting, attending groups or appointments. To be the front of house person, to assist staff based in the building, welcoming visitors and respond to enquiries.  To apply please email [email protected] For the full Job description please click here

Trustee Vacancy

After 3 years of sustained growth Mind in Somerset are seeking to recruit a further trustee.

We are a local mental health charity serving the people of Somerset. We are part of the national Mind network, and, like other local Minds, we run as an independent charity with our own strategy, funds and leadership.

Every year we support thousands of people managing their mental health and other aspects of their lives – now we need your help. We are seeking a trustee to join our board.

As a Trustee, you will be joining a charity in a strong position, with an ambition to build on our successes and growth over the last few years. We will be looking to build on existing activities and also by bringing in innovative new projects. We are particularly seeking someone with fundraising experience who cares about what we do and be willing to commit their time and judgement to helping Mind in Somerset develop.

We are a friendly and welcoming organisation and are passionate about what we do. You’ll be joining our Board of Trustees at an exciting time with lots of opportunities to build on our success over the next few years. If you have the time and enthusiasm to be part of something amazing, please get in touch.

We welcome applications from those with experience of mental or emotional distress.

If you would like to apply and/or find out more about this position, please Email the Chair, [email protected]

Peer Supporter Role

As a Peer Supporter, you will be working with individuals with emotional or mental health problems who require support from someone who understands. This connection may be made over the phone, by remote meeting or face-to-face.

Bringing your lived experience, you will have the desire to support and encourage others on their individual recovery journeys. You will be able to clearly draw upon and share, your own experiences of mental health challenge and services in order to inspire, model, and inform others in similar situations and support them in finding their own path to recovery

We will be providing a 1:1 mental health service that will support individuals with their emotional wellbeing but also with practical challenges such as joining groups and social opportunities, exploring their interests and finding ways to make those accessible for them. This may include helping them to join other support groups in their community. Our 1:1 service is currently via telephone/online support but hope to return to face-to-face when it is safe to do so. 

To find out more please visit the role listing here or email [email protected]

Befriender Role

As a Befriender, you will be working with individuals who are experiencing emotional and mental health problems and require support from someone who understands. This connection may be made over the phone, by remote meeting, or face-to-face. You will have empathy and the desire to support and encourage others on their individual recovery journeys. 

• Offering listening support (via telephone/online initially) to individuals who are receiving support from the project, recognising when someone may need more help and checking to make sure plans, referrals etc are happening.
• providing practical information and signposting to other agencies as appropriate
• helping to access community facilities and resources
• showing understanding, acceptance and empathy.
• supporting individuals to develop ideas for coping strategies and problem-solving skills
• help individuals identify their own hopes, dreams and aspirations and to explore opportunities and ways to realise them

To find out more please visit the role listing here or email [email protected]

HR Administrator Volunteer

This role will involve assisting in HR service provision across Mind in Somerset. 

To view the detailed role description and find contact information for enquiries please visit the role listing here.

IT Technician/ Engineer

This role will be supporting the provision of effective IT support across Mind in Somerset.

To view the detailed role description and find contact information for enquiries please visit the role listing here.

Peer Support Volunteer – Youth Matters

Youth Matters volunteers help to facilitate our weekly peer support groups for young people.

About the opportunity

This voluntary role will help you to develop your skills and experience whilst supporting young people in a group environment. You will be provided with appropriate training for the role. Applications are encouraged from people who have lived experience of mental health difficulties or from those who have an understanding of what mental health difficulties may mean for others.

What are we looking for?

An ability to listen and demonstrate empathy is essential for this voluntary role. Some experience of working with children and young people in a voluntary or paid capacity is desired.

Where and when?

We ask that volunteers commit to a minimum of 6-months with Mind in Somerset to ensure consistency for the young people who we support. We also ask that you can offer at least 2.5 hours of support every week at a regular time. Currently, we have 10 peer support groups running across the county of Somerset. Although we are currently recruiting for our Langport group, please get in touch if you are interested in supporting one of our other groups as we always welcome volunteers (Bridgwater, Taunton, Chard, Shepton Mallet, Yeovil, Frome, Minehead, Bridport & Online via Zoom).

For more information and to apply for this voluntary position, please contact: [email protected] 

Why volunteer? 

Being a volunteer for a charity like Mind in Somerset is a fantastic way to give something back to your local community. There are a variety of reasons that volunteering can help to benefit you: 

• Develop new skills
• Meet new people
• Enhance your CV
• Try something new
• Build your confidence
• A route back into employment
• Gain experience required for a course
• Build on existing knowledge
• Help in an area you have a passion for.