Getting involved
We are always looking for people who feel strongly about what we do to join us as volunteers. Our volunteers help with routine tasks such as preparing and distributing publicity materials or making refreshments at our events, as well as being involved in the visiting.
We do not expect our volunteer visitors to offer counselling - just every day common sense, good humour and tolerance. We don't ask volunteers for any specific qualifications. The most important thing they bring to the work is being a good listener with the ability to stay alongside someone who is struggling and to encourage them to take their own steps without the urge to offer advice or to do it for them.
Often our volunteers have been through some rough patch in their own lives and are able to understand when someone is feeling totally isolated and lacking in self-esteem because of what life has thrown at them. However it is really important for volunteers that any rough patch they have experienced is now well in the past because doing this work can be very demanding in itself.
Other people are not able to get actively involved in our work at the moment but they show their support by becoming Friends. They pay an annual subscription (currently £10) and receive regular news about our events and an invitation to join us for lunch before our AGM.
Others simply make donations or arrange fund-raising events for us.
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We are also looking for people to join our management committee who can offer any or all of the following:
- An interest in mental health
- Interest in financial management
- Good communication skills
The committee meet 4 times a year.
We are not an ordinary organisation. We have a well-structured foundation but great flexibility which allows us to be creative in response to the needs we meet. At the centre of our organisation is a group of dedicated & skilled volunteers who carry out the face-to-face work with our clients. We have about 15-20 clients meting volunteers weekly, one-to-one and we facilitate a weekly self-help group for about 25 people.
3 times a year we run public forums about subjects related to mental health. The organisation has been running in Mid Devon for 15 years.
As well as looking for people to join our management group we currently need a temporary secretary. They need to be computer literate or willing to receive training as most of our communication is via email. They would attend quarterly, daytime meetings in Tiverton, take minutes and take responsibility for circulating any relevant papers.
For more information please contact Dawn Hampshire on 01884 258507