Befriender Volunteer - Open Mental Health

In particular you will be providing a specialised role as part of the Sedgemoor Community Support Project. The project is funded by the Somerset Community Foundation to support residents of Sedgemoor, as well as those along the corridor towards Minehead, who have mental health support needs. It is a community focused project that is aiming to decrease the isolation felt in the Sedgemoor community, particularly for those who have been affected by the development of Hinkley Point C. However, there are no pre-requisites in accessing support, other than being a part of the Sedgemoor community and surrounding areas. A key part of our work will focus on outreach in order to support members of the community who may not be able to access services due to rurality or language barriers.  

We will be providing a 1:1 mental health service that will support individuals with their emotional wellbeing but also with practical challenges. 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. If we receive inappropriate referrals, we will work closely with those individuals and support them with a ‘warm-handover’ to the right service. We will also offer signposting resources.   

Part of the role also involves working collaboratively with and building positive professional relationships with various agencies and services within and around Sedgemoor. When Covid-19 permits, we will also be running monthly community days where it is anticipated that these partner agencies will have a strong presence.  

Key Tasks

In this role you will be:

·      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

·      Record information in line with Mind in Somerset procedures 

·      Work in accordance with all policies and procedures  

·      On occasions to help with putting information packs /Publicity resources together 

·      Contribute to the monitoring of the service 

·      listening, sharing and valuing the process of those you work with

·      role modelling and providing positive examples of hope and possibility where appropriate

·      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

·      Commit to be willing and open to the supervision process 

·      Attend all initial and ongoing training 

Support Mechanisms

• You will be provided with initial and on-going training and support with the SCSP Worker and other Mind In Somerset staff.

Person Specification

We are looking for Befrienders who have:

• the desire and ability to support people with their mental health problems and contribute to their recovery.

• the confidence to work with individuals

• the capacity to manage their own mental health needs

• an awareness of self-management resources and coping strategies

• an ability to empathise with others and form trusting relationships

• a non-judgemental approach and an ability to maintain appropriate boundaries

• good listening and communication skills, reliability and good time keeping

• an ability to take responsibility for your own self-care and willingness to utilise the support and supervision provided by the Sedgemoor Community Support Project Worker