Volunteers are an essential part of our charity and we couldn’t operate without their dedication and hard work.
Choosing to volunteer for Wiltshire Mind not only means you can help us support the people in our community who need us but it can also help with your own wellbeing. Supporting and helping others can improve your happiness, give you a sense of purpose and improve your self-confidence. It can also help you further your skills and experience, and is a good addition to your CV.
At Wiltshire Mind we value diversity and we’re committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone is able to be themselves and to reach their full potential. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, and those with lived experience of mental health problems. We believe that a diverse team will help us in supporting those experiencing mental health problems or emotional distress.
Due to the nature of our work, some volunteering roles are subject to a Disclosure and Barring Check. This will be highlighted to you before you apply.
We have a range of volunteering opportunities detailed below and will update the page when new opportunities arise.
Counselling Volunteers (Adult Service)
We offer placement opportunities for counsellors who are currently undertaking appropriate training. We also welcome applications from counsellors who have completed their training and may be working towards accreditation or looking for an opportunity to support people in our community.
We ask volunteers to commit to a minimum of three client sessions per week at a regular time slot, and for up to one year. Sessions are usually based at our office in Trowbridge.
We are an organisational member of the BACP. We offer fortnightly group supervision, with a maximum of four supervisees per group. We also provide management support from a qualified counsellor on a day-to-day basis.
This role is subject to an enhanced DBS check (including barred list).
Unfortunately, we don’t currently have any open opportunities for volunteers but please do check back in the future as we will update this page when we are taking applications.
Peer Support Group Volunteers
We offer volunteering opportunities to assist with the running of our weekly peer support groups. The groups provide a friendly space for anyone experiencing mental health problems. They bring together people with shared experiences to support each other and provide a place where members can feel accepted and understood.
The volunteer supports our skilled Group Facilitators in creating a safe and open space for our service users. You do not need any particular experience for this role, just a willingness to participate. We welcome applications from people with lived experience of mental health. If you have previously attended one of our support groups as a member, you are welcome to apply but we ask that you are no longer attending the group.
We ask volunteers to commit to a minimum of supporting one group session per week. Please note that all groups are currently held via Zoom video conferencing, but with an intention to return to face-to-face groups later this year. With this in mind, the groups are still arranged by geographical location to make this transition easier for group members.
We offer group supervision for one hour per month which provides a confidential space for you to process how it has felt for you to work in the group, and to ensure you are supported in this role. Supervision is held in small group sessions with other volunteers or group facilitators.
This role is subject to an enhanced DBS check (including barred list).
We are currently recruiting for support group volunteers at the below groups. Please contact supportgroups@wiltshiremind.co.uk for further information and an application form.
Fundraising Volunteers
We are keen to hear from anyone who can give regular time to help us in our fundraising activities. There are various roles available depending on your availability, ranging from a few hours per month to attend charity tin collections or supporting at an occasional event, through to a few hours per week to be part of a fundraising committee who plan and co-ordinate events in your local town.
If you are interested in finding out how you could help us, please contact fundraising@wiltshiremind.co.uk
Trustees
Wiltshire Mind is governed by a Board of Trustees who are responsible for leading the charity and setting the strategic direction. All our trustees are volunteers and are not paid for their time. This is an important role in the governance of the charity which ensures we work within the bounds of our governing document.
As a minimum, trustees are asked to attend a board meeting once per month along with communicating with the CEO and staff as needed. Trustees may also be invited to participate in other areas of the charity depending on their knowledge and interests, for example reviews on service delivery or health and safety.
We welcome applications from people who feel they can commit to the values of the charity and can bring their own skills or experience to enhance the board. This may include lived experience of mental health, experience of working within mental health services or wider business and professional skills such as HR, accountancy, law or operations.
Wiltshire Mind is an equal opportunities organisation. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and identities, particularly young people, culturally diverse, LGBTQIA+ and/or people with a disability, who are presently under-represented within Wiltshire Mind.
This role is subject to an enhanced DBS check (including barred list). There are also other reasons which may prevent you from being a trustee, such as being bankrupt (undischarged) or having an individual voluntary arrangement (IVA).
Further information on what’s involved in being a trustee can be obtained from the Charity Commission website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/charity-trustee-whats-involved
If you are interested in becoming a trustee, please contact office@wiltshiremind.co.uk to arrange an initial informal chat with our Chief Executive.
