Volunteer: Crisis Support Drop-In service High Peak (Buxton)
Are you welcoming, non-judgemental, and a great listener?
- Do you live in or near Buxton?
- Are you interested in volunteering with a really supportive organisation such as Derbyshire Mind?
- Are you available on Friday evenings, Saturday evenings, and Sunday afternoons?
Derbyshire Mind and Zink have opened a new out-of-hours crisis drop-in service in Buxton. It provides support to adults who are experiencing or nearing a mental health crisis in a safe, non-clinical environment.
We are looking for reliable and supportive people who feel passionate about helping people in need to help us. If that sounds like you then we would really love to hear from you!
The Role
‘Crisis Support Drop-In Service’ Volunteer
Hours: A minimum of one shift per week, or two shifts per fortnight.
Salary: Volunteer role with expenses paid, including expenses for small meal when working 6 hours, as per the Volunteering Policy
Location: Zink, Clough Street, Buxton
About the Buxton Crisis Support Drop-In service:
Derbyshire Mind’s Crisis Support Drop-In services are friendly and supportive non-clinical crisis services for adults who self-define as needing immediate help with their mental health or emotional wellbeing. Located in Buxton, Ripley and Swadlincote, the services offer out-of-hours mental health help, support and signposting in a relaxed and comfortable community environment.
The Buxton/High Peak service is now open on Friday and Saturday nights between 6pm and 11pm, and on Sunday afternoons between 2.30pm and 5.30pm.
Purpose of the Volunteer role:
The purpose of this volunteer role is to facilitate the smooth running of the Buxton Crisis Support Drop-In service by presenting a warm and friendly and non-judgemental presence, welcoming and supporting service users, assisting the Buxton Crisis Support Drop-In Support Workers, and offering support to help attendees engage with various calming activities.
Working with the wider tram, this is a great opportunity for anyone wanting to increase their understanding of mental health issues and provide support within their local community, as well as develop your own skills.
For more details, including a description of the typical tasks involved with this volunteer role, please download and read the Role Description document below.
Volunteer Shifts Available:
Service shifts will always include 30 minutes at the start and end of the service for setting up, tidying away, and wellbeing check-ins.
The Volunteer shifts available will therefore be:
- Friday nights: 5.30 to 11.30pm (6 hours)
- Saturday nights: 5.30 to 11.30pm (6 hours)
- Sunday afternoons: 2.00 to 6.00pm (4 hours)
Volunteers will also be required to attend team meetings, and 121meetings with their line manager, once every 6 weeks.
We are looking for volunteers that can provide support for at least one shift per week, or two shifts every other week/fortnight.
Training:
All volunteers will receive comprehensive training before they start supporting the service. This will include teaching you skills that will help you support someone experiencing emotional distress.
Access to a Car:
A driving license and access to a car is necessary for this volunteering role as the service operates at night times and weekends when public transport doesn’t run or is less reliable, and we want for you to get home safely!
How to Apply for the Volunteering Opportunity:
Application Instructions:
- Please read through the Role Description below.
- Click on ‘Apply’ – you will be taken to NHS Jobs website (this is used to manage applications and communicate with applicants – Derbyshire Mind is the Crisis Support Drop-In Service provider)
Closing Date for Applications:
- Please send your email containing your completed Application Form (and Equal Opportunities Form) as soon as possible by the closing date. We will get back to you within a few days of you sending us your application to organise a time for an informal interview.
Invitation for Informal Interview Email:
- Please look out for an email from us. We will agree a mutually convenient date.
Interview Date:
- Informal interviews will be held via telephone or video call. The date/time/method will be confirmed in your interview invite email.
- The interview will be very informal and is an opportunity for us to have a chat with you and find out more about why you would like to be a Crisis Support Drop-In Volunteer. We can also answer any more questions you might have about the role and the commitment, and find out how we can best support you in the role.
This post is subject to a criminal records check with the Disclosure and Barring Service, and two references.
Derbyshire Mind aims to be an Equal Opportunities Employer.
High Peak Crisis Support Drop-In Service is a Partnership between Derbyshire Mind and Zink.
– About Derbyshire Mind:
Derbyshire Mind is a local independent mental health charity within the national Mind network. Our focus is on improving mental health and wellbeing for people across Derby and Derbyshire. We provide a range of advocacy and community mental wellbeing services designed to support people with mental health problems as well as the wider population. We have over 50 years’ experience of working locally, supporting people in Derby and Derbyshire to maintain good mental health.
Derbyshire Mind’s Vision: For everyone in Derbyshire to have good mental wellbeing and to live their best life.
Derbyshire Mind’s Values:Working Together: We work alongside others for the greater good
Learning Together: We always aim to do things better
Empowering: We support people to fulfil their potential
Respectful: We don’t judge, we treat others as equals
Positive: We are progressive and focus on solutions
– About Zink
Zink empowers people and families to build a better future no matter what they’ve been through. When a crisis happens, we can provide emergency food and supplies, advice and support to sort out the cause and a place to plan. Our work coaches offer help into work, education or training and our community provides a range of exciting activities and interests that enable to people to grow, learn and mix.
We are a community organisation that provides services to people and families. What we do depends on each individual but could include emergency food parcels, help into jobs, advice, activities to enable people to mix with others, learn or develop skills etc.
Find out more about Zink here: www.zink.org.uk