Volunteer Peer Supporter

Role: Volunteer Peer Supporter 

Project: Volunteer – Weston-S-Mare  

Supervisor: Rachel Edgecombe/office lead 

Location: Weston Super Mare Citizens Advice – Town centre   

Hours/Days: We would like you to volunteer for us for - Client support 1:1’s Thursday (10-4) Friday (10-4) Community Day - Friday (12-2) as we will need your support at those times.  

Mind in Somerset have the expectation that all who Volunteer for us always live our organisations Values, we ask that you be; 

Collaborative – work better together 

Respectful – treat people how we like to be treated 

Accountable – are responsible for own actions 

Inclusive – respect everyone’s uniqueness 

Compassionate – empathise, care and support 

Main Purpose of the role: To provide a Client support service for Mind in Somerset. 

Key tasks: 

• To be the first point of contact for the Mind in Somerset in North Somerset in the Citizens Advice offices  
• To provide emotional listening support sessions on a short-term basis  
• To effectively signpost clients to longer-term support either through Mind in Somerset services or partner providers in the area  
• To be able to work within your level of capability and training, identifying opportunities to link in with other support available.  
• To maintain records on our computer system of all appointments attended  
• Answer the telephone and support general administration including responding to e-mail queries. 
• To respond to email inquiries that may come through our main website offering virtual navigation to appropriate support.  
• Providing service users with a signposting and information 
• Basic administrative support as required e.g. photocopying, scanning, and making phone calls.  
• Effectively take and distribute messages to relevant project leads 
• To attend the organisation update meeting 
• Abide by health and safety guidelines and share responsibility for own safety and that of colleagues 
• To adhere to all volunteer policies of the organisation. 
• There may be other duties required of our volunteers from time to time. 
• To support the Community Day facilitator on a Friday afternoon in a creative session designed to reduce isolation and create opportunities for connectivity and conversation amongst Peers.   

Person Specification 

Essential: 

• Positive team-working skills 
• Flexible approach  
• Demonstrable IT knowledge/experience using Microsoft Packages 
• Willingness to learn (including independently) to extend their knowledge 
• Understanding of the need for good record keeping and GDPR 

Equal Opportunities:  

Mind in Somerset is fully committed to the principle of equal opportunities in employment and opposes all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination, direct or indirect. All employees and volunteers are expected to promote and work fully in line with the company’s Equal Opportunities Policy. Mind in Somerset is a Disability Confident employer and welcomes applications from disabled people. If disabled applicants meet the minimum criteria for the job, they can request and will be offered a guaranteed interview. Should applicants require reasonable adjustment support for the interview/Volunteer meeting, please contact the via the message function.

Criminal Record: 

Due to the safeguarding nature of our work, the successful candidate/volunteer may need to complete a disclosure and barring check (DBS) prior to starting with us. A criminal record will not automatically mean withdrawal of an offer, however, to safeguard our staff, volunteers and clients, further discussion or investigation may be required so that an informed decision can be made as to your suitability to work with vulnerable people to ensure that we are not putting service users at risk. For Volunteers there are occasions when a DBS will not be required, however a risk assessment will be conducted, and the form completed and placed within the Volunteer’s electronic file.