Service: Community Support & Connect
Commitment: From 2-3 hours once a fortnight

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.

One-to-one support can mean spending 2-3 hours once a fortnight with a service member to

• meet up
• engage in local community activities
• signposting
• support them to attend a meeting, course or event.

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 in an informal meeting. This meeting is to discuss interests you may share, suitable times to meet, and to see if you both feel comfortable about sharing time together.

The volunteer coordinator will be there to offer support and advice with any doubts or questions you have.

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

• No experience necessary – full training will be given
• Some understanding of living with a mental health condition would be useful
• Recent DBS check (this can be arranged when you apply)

Expenses

The scheme encourages affordable activities. Guideposts reimburses volunteers’ expenses for travel, activities, telephone usage and postage etc.