Service: Community Support & Connect
Commitment: From as little as 15 minutes a week

What the role involves

Community Support and Connect provides short to medium term support for people who experience mental health issues, in south-west Hertfordshire. We arrange one-to-one support and support groups, aiming to aid recovery through increasing self-confidence, reducing social isolation, and giving emotional and practical support.

Telephone or email support can include spending as little as 10-15 minutes a week to email or telephone a service member. This gives the the member an opportunity to interact with someone, and can help encourage them to increase social networks and enhance their quality of life.

We match individuals with volunteers to give support in their individual recovery journeys. The exact nature of support will vary from person to person.

Before your first session the volunteer coordinator will introduce you to the client. They will then be there to offer support and advice with any doubts or questions you have.

We ask that volunteers do not give their phone numbers to service members, and remember to use 141 before calling.

This role is ideal for you if:

• You like meeting new people
• You are looking for something constructive to do with your spare time
• You would like to help someone improve the quality of their life
• You would like to gain support experience, or put your existing skills into practice

Volunteer requirements

• Telephone and email access
• Some understanding of living with a mental health condition would be useful
• Recent DBS check (this can be arranged when you apply)