At Rethink Mental Illness, we believe everyone deserves understanding, connection, and the chance to live a fulfilling life. Our volunteers play a vital role in supporting people affected by mental illness and helping create communities where no one feels alone. About the role Location: Wandsworth and Richmond Hours: 4 hours per week The Volunteer Translator role supports short-term advocacy by helping ensure clear and accurate communication between advocates and clients whose first language is not English. As a Volunteer Translator, you will volunteer alongside a trained advocate to translate spoken and written information, ensuring that clients’ views, wishes, and rights are clearly understood. The role is focused on empowering clients and promoting self-advocacy in a non-judgemental and impartial way We always aim to empower our clients and promote self-advocacy. Full training and regular supervision will be provided, so you’ll feel confident and supported in your role. This role requires an Enhanced DBS check, which will be arranged and paid for by Rethink Mental Illness. As a Volunteer Translator, you will: Translate conversations between advocates and clients in community settings, care homes, or hospitals Accurately translate clients’ views and wishes back to the advocate Translate written documents, including welcome packs, advocacy plans, and consent forms Explain translated documents to clients and relay any questions to the advocate Work closely with advocates and follow their instructions and guidance Attend supervision, training, and mandatory eLearning as required There is also an opportunity to deliver advocacy workshops in Russian or Tamil if you have an interest in this area although it is not essential About the service Rethink Advocacy supports people who are vulnerable and facing challenging situations in their lives. We work with individuals with learning, physical, and sensory disabilities, as well as people experiencing mental ill health, helping them to have their voice heard when important decisions are being made or when they are unhappy with a service. What will make you a great fit for this role? Fluent in one other language, in addition to English, both spoken and written A non-judgemental and impartial approach to translation Ability to work both independently and as part of a team Good communication and listening skills Understanding of confidentiality and consent Patience and an ability to support people who may be distressed Commitment to learning and attending training We are particularly interested in volunteers who speak Russian or Tamil, but other languages are also welcome. It's not essential, but you may also bring: Experience supporting people with communication needs Experience supporting people who are distressed Relevant language qualifications (e.g. IELTS) How to apply To apply, please click the “apply now” button and complete a short interest form. You will have the opportunity to upload a CV and/or cover letter however, this is not mandatory. A member of the team will review your application and be in touch to update you on the next steps. If your application is successful, you will be invited to take part in an informal volunteer discussion. If you have any questions about the role or would like to find out more before applying, please contact the volunteer manager: Lesley Oblein – lesley.oblein@rethink.org 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.