Rethink Mental Illness
Volunteer Connecting Peer Group Facilitator (Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire)
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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: Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire
Hours: Approximately 3-6 hours a month
The Volunteer Connecting Peer Group Facilitator role supports people who have previously accessed support through Sequoia to build confidence, develop social connections, and take part in enjoyable activities in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
As a Volunteer Connecting Peer Group Facilitator, you will volunteer alongside fellow volunteers to organise and run Connecting Peer Groups once a fortnight or once a month. These groups are open to anyone who has previously accessed support with Sequoia and provide an opportunity to connect with others outside of a therapeutic or support-based setting.
You will help design and facilitate activities such as board games, crafts, or other group interests, ensuring that everyone feels comfortable, included, and able to participate.
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.
Please note, this role is only available to those who have previously accessed support with Sequoia. If you have not participated in a Sequoia intervention, we will not be able to progress your application.
As a Volunteer Group Facilitator, you will:
- Help organise and develop a Sequoia Connecting Peer group
- Share your ideas and interests when designing group sessions and activities
- Co-facilitate group sessions and help create a welcoming, friendly, and inclusive environment
- Ensure safeguarding procedures are being followed and that the groups remain a safe space
- Communicate with group attendees to understand their goals and ensure the group meets their needs
- Use creativity to plan and support enjoyable activities such as games, crafts, or social activities
- Attend supervision, training, and any required meetings to support your role
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About the service
Sequoia has been developed to support people who currently fall between primary and secondary mental health care services.
Delivered in partnership between Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP) and Rethink Mental Illness, Sequoia offers a range of psychosocial interventions for people experiencing emerging, mild, or moderate difficulties relating to Complex Emotional Needs and Personality Difficulties.
All service users are aged 18 or over, and interventions take place across the Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire areas. Service users can choose from four different interventions and may access more than one, with a consolidation period between them.
What will make you a great fit for this role?
- Previous experience of using the Sequoia service
- Lived experience of Complex Emotional Needs or Personality Difficulties
- The ability to communicate with a wide range of people in a friendly and non-judgemental way
- Empathy and compassion for people on their mental health journey
- Respect for people’s differences and a commitment to creating inclusive spaces
- A willingness to follow Rethink Mental Illness policies and procedures
- Commitment to attending training and engaging in support offered within the role
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:
Gracie Smith - gracie.smith@rethink.org
Who are we?
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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 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.
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