Volunteering & Mental Health

Our Supported Volunteering service helps people who endure or are recovering from mental distress or illness

If this is you - or you know someone in these circumstances - volunteering can be a great way to spend time, make new friends, use your skills or learn new ones. 

It can also be a stepping stone towards employment if that is one of your aims.

Personal support for volunteers

Our Supported Volunteering co-ordinator will offer as much support as you want, for example, through advice on what opportunities best suit your interests, telephone referrals, setting up introductions and accompanying you to meetings with organisations. The service is personal, confidential and totally geared to you.

Importantly, support is available on an ongoing basis to help you get the most out of volunteering. We also run regular social and information groups where you can meet other volunteers.

Above all there is no pressure. You can get involved at your own pace.

Support to agencies

Many of our volunteers are introduced by their social worker, care co-ordinator, or other professional. If you have a client who is interested and will benefit from volunteering please contact us. We shall arrange a personal appointment at which you can accompany your client to explore the possibilities.

Support to Organisations

We help volunteer co-ordinators in achieving a balance between the needs of the organisation and the volunteer. We introduce suitable volunteers to identified roles throughout the community, offering further support on request. We shall be very pleased to talk to you about the needs of volunteers - in particular the issues faced by people with mental health difficulties - where this is helpful in facilitating successful placements that work for everyone.