Volunteering

ArtSpace is an exciting arts-based project which offers a safe space for people with mental health issues to work towards recovery and good wellbeing through art activities and peer support.

You don’t need to have any previous experience or artistic skill. The aim isn’t to produce a great work of art, but to use what you create to understand yourself better. Through your artwork, you will learn to build on your personal strengths and natural abilities and with the support of peers to become well, stay well, and make the most of life.

We are keen to hear from people who:

• Could support with the co-delivery of ArtSpace and support our facilitators with the running of sessions
• Have a keen interest in Art, Craft & Design and could use their creative skills in sessions
• Have experience in supporting individuals on a 1:1 or group basis

Hereford groups: Wednesdays 1:30 – 3:30 and Thursdays 10am – 12pm and 1:30 – 3:30

Safe Haven is designed to help those approaching mental health crisis or to prevent being in one, through offering a supportive, active listening ear and signposting to further support. People who access the service will be over 18 years of age and live within Herefordshire. Safe Haven offers support in different ways: telephone, 1:1 and social space support. The latter is a more relaxed atmosphere, offering social interaction to those feeling distressed in need of connection; this can look like card games, puzzles and colouring alongside staff and conversation. The other offers are more focused around heavier topics and are appropriate spaces for individuals to explain and explore their thoughts and feelings with a dedicated member of staff.

The role of a Safe Haven volunteer is to support and provide therapeutic interactions with individuals accessing the service and other staff members on shift. This could look like facilitating social space through taking part in interactions or making light refreshments, or through taking calls from distressed individuals. You will be responsible for ensuring a welcoming and safe environment for individuals to enjoy and develop new or existing daily coping skills.

Broadly speaking, we expect you:

• To volunteer for a minimum of 100 hours over a year
• To help Herefordshire Mind Safe Haven to fulfil its services
• To perform your volunteering role to the best of your ability
• To follow Herefordshire Mind’s policies and procedures, including those relating to health and safety, confidentiality and those in relation to participants/ service users.
• To meet time commitments and standards which have already been mutually agreed to, and to give reasonable notice if unable to attend so that other arrangements can be made.
• To provide two referees and agree to a DBS check.

Please ensure you have fully read the role description below before applying.

CLICK HERE – Safe Haven Volunteer Role Description