Your role Amazing, giving, and inspiring are just a few of the words we would use to describe our volunteers. Our volunteers play an integral part in the services we provide and the people we support. If you are looking for a rewarding role where you will really make a difference whilst gaining experience along the way, then join us here at Rethink Mental Illness. About the role Peer volunteering is an opportunity for people who have themselves used mental health services, to volunteer and support other people currently using mental health services. As a Peer Support Volunteer, you will provide additional support to our Peer Support Workers by assisting them with administration tasks and supporting with online group sessions. This will be based in the Ashford (Kent) area. You will receive training and regular supervision to ensure you feel confident in your role. You can read more about the benefits of volunteering on the full advert on our website where you will also find a copy of the role description. About the service The East Kent Peer Support Service team is dedicated to delivering a high-quality service that focuses on supporting individuals to achieve goals. The aim is to improve the lives and support independence for those living with a mental illness. The team will engage with other local providers to ensure a clear and seamless pathway for those that require support from multiple providers. What you will be doing as a Peer Support Volunteer · Speaking to service users by empathising with them about the difficulties that having a mental health problem can create · Helping with administration duties · Telephone calls · Explaining the services that are on offer and how these can be accessed · Putting people who are anxious at ease by welcoming them to the service · Helping to set up an online group What will make you a great fit for this role? · You will have lived experience of mental illness · Ability to empathise with others · Good communication skills · Reliable and punctual If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact Who are we? We’re Rethink Mental Illness, a leading charity provider of mental health services in England. We support thousands of people through our groups, services, policy, campaigns and advice and information. Our work supports us in delivering on our mission: “A better life for everyone severely affected by mental illness.” It is an exciting time to join our growing charity. We are on a transformation journey, one that supports the delivery of the organisation strategy – delivering Communities that Care. Supporting employees, managers and leaders through this change is a key priority for the People function. Just like its key that we attract diverse people to come and work for us. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Diversity is important to us and we appreciate difference through difference, inclusiveness and belonging. It gives us a deeper understanding of the world, our society and the diverse communities we’re working with. By including everyone, we are able to draw on the unique experiences and expertise of our people to help shape and enrich our workplace and improve our services. One way we are doing is through our valued staff networks which play a critical and highly valued role in keeping us focused on creating a diverse, inclusive and engaged employer. We recognise and support staff networks for our Black, Asian and minority ethnic and our LGBTQIA colleagues. We are also proud to have been awarded Disability Confident Employer status and are a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter. Becoming a truly anti-racist organisation We have an ambition of become a truly anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider - and in our efforts to influence policy and wider societal factors impacting on mental health set out in our anti-racist statement. We have designed a multi-year anti-racist programme of work contained in our Race Equality Action Plan which demonstrate our intention to hold ourselves accountable and be judged on our progress on becoming a truly anti-racist organisation. We therefore actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including applicants with lived experience, those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (or questioning), Intersex and (asexual) (LGBTQIA), people with a disability, and people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.