Our Vulnerable Adult Service (VAS) Lead Workers offer support on an appointment basis to people aged 18+ living within their own accommodation whether the accommodation is rented, brought or private, throughout Birmingham.

The service offers support to help people maintain a tenancy and live an independent life. 

Person centred support is offered based on an individual’s needs. The support from the team is underpinned by key aspects of recovery, hope, respect and personal growth. 

Clients are supported to identify their strengths and goals, to develop increased self-esteem, self-worth and confidence and to integrate into their local community. 

The support can include: 

• Health and wellbeing support.
• Developing social networks within the local community.
• Accessing community facilities i.e. leisure, work and education.
• Confidence building.
• Support to maintain a tenancy (paperwork, budgeting, environment, health and safety)

All service users are encouraged to be actively involved in designing their support package, in the running of each service and the organisation. In addition to individual appointments for our active service users we facilitate multiple Community Connect Groups, open to both active service users and anyone not currently on the service to receive the above support at the various groups. This is where we would really appreciate the support of volunteers. 

Typical work could include;

• Meet and Greet
• Service user registration at the drop-ins/community groups.
• Offering advice and guidance (when appropriate).
• Listening with empathy and signposting to external agencies.
• Running a wellbeing creative art group (if suitable for you), assisting with a cooking group (if suitable for you).
• Supporting bi-weekly Job centre plus drop ins where we signpost jobseekers for mental health support, reducing social isolation, free courses and other Birmingham Mind Services.
• Completing online forms to register the visit and group details on our secure database.  

• Reasonable level of English language 

• A moderate level of IT with willingness to learn 

• Ability to listen to themes of suicide, self-harm and trauma 

• Empathy and kindness 

• Friendly welcoming personality 

• Knowledge of other languages would be beneficial 

Birmingham Mind Volunteer Induction Training:

• Health and Safety
• Equality Diversity and Inclusion
• Data Protection
• Safeguarding
• Confidentiality
• Birmingham Mind Introduction
• In role training from staff
• Access to other Birmingham Mind training (online and face to face)

• Regular ongoing support 
• Supervision – known as Progress Chats
• Volunteer Events/ Meetings (Optional)

• Travel (bus, train and metro) fares reimbursed
• Car mileage reimbursed
• Lunch or Meal expenses reimbursed if you volunteer over 4 hours (up to £4.00 max)

All our Connect Groups are disability and disabled access friendly. 

• Application Form
• Volunteer Information Session
• 2 References
• Informal Interview
• Enhanced DBS Check (Provided by Birmingham Mind)
• Induction
• Application close on Monday 18th August