Peer Support Textline Volunteer (Nightshifts)

Mikeysline is looking for Peer Support Nightshift Volunteers (Textline) to help with supporting adults and young people who contact us via our digital text based support options when they are in emotional distress and/or in crisis. We need you to be: • A good team player • A good listener • Sensitive to the needs of other people • Caring, kind and patient • Computer literate • We also need you to be aware of how to take care of yourself when supporting others. Support for the volunteer: • You will be supported in your role by the Support Staff and Staff Buddy • You will receive full induction training on agreed weeknights from between 6pm and 10pm • You will be expected to complete additional relevant online mental health training which will be beneficial to you in this role • There is also an expectation that you will attend bi-monthly group supervision with your peers if at all possible. • You will be joining a friendly team of staff and volunteers Responsibilities will include: As a Peer Support Volunteer, you will be using your own experiences of mental health issues to support, encourage and inspire people experiencing mental health distress. By providing a role model and offering both understanding and support, you will help to raise others’ confidence, self- belief and aid their long-term recovery. Volunteers must have their own, lived experience of a mental health issue, either personally or via a family member. •Supporting individuals who are in emotional distress and in need of immediate support. •Supporting and encouraging individuals to identify their own strengths and life goals and how to take steps to achieve them. •Supporting individuals to develop coping strategies and mechanisms that they will be able to apply in their everyday lives. •Promoting recovery through your own personal experience and life journey; inspiring others to believe that they too can progress and achieve beyond the issues they are facing. •Report concerns in relation to protecting vulnerable adults and/or young people. Time commitment: • In addition to induction training, we are asking for a commitment of one nightshift per month or one nightshift on a bi-monthly basis. The shifts are from 7pm-7am with staff on call support. Additional Information: This role is subject to a PVG check and 2 satisfactory references. All volunteer roles are subject to a three-month probationary period. Why volunteer with Mikeysline? •Support people who are emotional or in distress •Meet new people •Make friends •Learn new skills •Gain valuable work experience •Make a difference in your community