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: Stratford-Upon-Avon Hours: Minimum of 3 hours per week As a Mental Health Support Volunteer, you will support residents at Albany House by helping to enhance their wellbeing and day-to-day experience. You will volunteer alongside staff to create a warm, welcoming, and inclusive environment where residents feel valued and supported. While you will not be involved in personal care or clinical duties, you will play an important role in reducing social isolation, encouraging positive activities, and supporting residents to build confidence and independence. Ideally, you will be able to dedicate a minimum of 3 hours per week to volunteering between Tuesday – Sunday. There will be flexibility around how you choose to complete these hours. 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 Mental Health Support Volunteer, you will: Spend time with residents to promote confidence, independence, and social interaction Encourage participation in activities while respecting individual choice and comfort levels Help create a positive, respectful, and inclusive atmosphere within the home Follow guidance around confidentiality, safeguarding, and professional boundaries at all times Collaborate with staff to ensure activities are safe, appropriate, and person-centred Support or help facilitate meaningful activities such as: Cooking and learning new recipes Gardening (light weeding, planting, watering) Planning and attending community outings (e.g. cinema trips, football matches, local events) Arts and crafts Chair-based exercises Relaxation and wellbeing activities Informal social time such as “coffee and a chat” About the service The service supports adults with long-term and enduring mental health conditions to maintain and develop daily living skills, build confidence, and increase independence within a safe and supportive environment. The focus of the service is to promote recovery, social inclusion, and meaningful engagement in everyday life. What will make you a great fit for this role? A friendly, patient, and empathetic approach Respect for confidentiality, dignity, and professional boundaries Good communication skills, including the ability to support individuals with varying mental health needs The ability to be comfortable in both conversation and quiet companionship A non-judgemental and open-minded attitude Reliability and willingness to work as part of a team A willingness to follow guidance and uphold service values It's not essential, but you may also bring: An interest in cooking, gardening, arts and crafts, or gentle exercise Experience volunteering or working in mental health, care, or community settings Lived experience of mental health challenges (personally or as a carer) 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: Kirsty Nastasi – kirsty.nastasi@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.