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Location:

  • Beechcroft, 501 Slade Road, Erdington B23 7JG
  • Grounded. 11 Bournbrook Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham B29 7BL

 

When:    4 Hour evening shifts

  • Erdington : Any day between Monday to Sunday, 5pm to 9pm or 6pm – 10pm
  • Selly Oak: Either Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday 5pm to 9pm or 6pm – 10pm

Role Description

The aim of our ‘Talking Space’ service is to be a safe, welcoming place where people can go outside of normal working hours if they are feeling emotionally distressed or are in a mental health crisis (instead of using A&E and other urgent services).

Delivered in partnership with Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust, our Talking Space service offers a safe place for people to come and chat face to face with our Crisis Intervention Workers, with access to clinical staff if needed.

The service currently operates seven evenings a week in Erdington and three evenings in Selly Oak.

The service is for adults (18+) living in Birmingham or Solihull, whether they are known to mental health services or not.

Tasks

We are seeking volunteers to support individuals accessing our Talking Space venues.

As a crisis support volunteer you will be the first point of contact for people accessing the service and provide a welcoming and supportive atmosphere.

You will volunteer alongside a staff team to offer emotional support, based on the needs of the person.

Previous experience is not necessary as you will receive training and support and will be volunteering alongside an experienced staff team.

Tasks:

  • To provide a welcoming and supportive atmosphere
  • To provide a front of house service welcoming individuals into the centre, following sign in procedures and ensuring necessary health and safety checks are carried out
  • To offer emotional support to individuals experiencing distress

Skills Required

A positive attitude towards mental health

Ability to empathise with individuals experiencing difficulties in their mental health

A calm, patient, and friendly demeanour

A non-judgemental approach

Reliable

An awareness of safeguarding is desirable

Training Provided

Birmingham Mind Volunteer Induction including:

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)

Support

Regular ongoing support

Supervision

Volunteer Events/ Meetings

Expenses

Travel (bus, train and metro) fares reimbursed

Car mileage reimbursed

Lunch or Meal expenses reimbursed if you volunteer over 4 hours (up to £4 max)

Application

Application Form

Informal Interview

2 References

DBS Check (Provided by Birmingham Mind

Induction