Volunteer Hub
Support Volunteer
Organisation Details
Moodswings
Sub theme: Mental Health
Stellify Award: This opportunity is part of 'Make a Difference'
Organisation Description: Moodswings are a small Manchester based charity that was set up in 1999 to provide information, advice and support to people whose lives are affected by a severe mood disorder and emotional distress.
Description of role: Moodswings is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee, set up in 1999 to support people with mental health problems and their friends and family. All our services are provided free of charge to anyone who needs us and much of the work is done by volunteers.
Although we specialise in working with people with mood disorders, we provide support to people with any form of emotional distress. All our work centres around recovery, by which we mean ‘living the best life you can with, or without, the symptoms of emotional distress’. Our aim is to help people to have a better understanding of their symptoms, to train them to manage them and thereafter achieve the things they want in life regardless of their diagnosis.
Mental health problems can be overwhelming and it is sometimes impossible to see beyond the immediate distress. At Moodswings we provide people with an optimistic outlook. We show them that with proper treatment, support and self-management it is possible to overcome or at least manage mental distress and that it need not prevent them from leading full lives. We encourage people to be as independent as possible, to volunteer, or work, have busy social lives and achieve their aims in life.
Everyone who engages with our Recovery One to One Support also has access to our other services, many of which are aimed at supporting them in their progress towards their goals. Services include groups such as Drama, Creative Writing, Walk and Talk, Mindfulness, and social groups both for service users and for mates and relatives. Moodswings has good relationships with both the voluntary and statutory sector.
Volunteers are needed to help us promote the service and, after training, deal with calls to the help-line. Other opportunities include shadowing appointments, assisting with activity groups and workshops, providing clerical support and carrying out reception duties. People generally volunteer for one weekday each week between 10am and 4 pm. Local travel allowance is reimbursed. In the mental health sector, each day can vary so we ask volunteers to be mindful of this and to be flexible with tasks that they may be asked to do.
We are keen to recruit volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds, including people with personal experience of mental health problems and recovery. To work effectively with our small, friendly team, you will need to be flexible, caring and reliable and have good listening skills.
Although we specialise in working with people with mood disorders, we provide support to people with any form of emotional distress. All our work centres around recovery, by which we mean ‘living the best life you can with, or without, the symptoms of emotional distress’. Our aim is to help people to have a better understanding of their symptoms, to train them to manage them and thereafter achieve the things they want in life regardless of their diagnosis.
Mental health problems can be overwhelming and it is sometimes impossible to see beyond the immediate distress. At Moodswings we provide people with an optimistic outlook. We show them that with proper treatment, support and self-management it is possible to overcome or at least manage mental distress and that it need not prevent them from leading full lives. We encourage people to be as independent as possible, to volunteer, or work, have busy social lives and achieve their aims in life.
Everyone who engages with our Recovery One to One Support also has access to our other services, many of which are aimed at supporting them in their progress towards their goals. Services include groups such as Drama, Creative Writing, Walk and Talk, Mindfulness, and social groups both for service users and for mates and relatives. Moodswings has good relationships with both the voluntary and statutory sector.
Volunteers are needed to help us promote the service and, after training, deal with calls to the help-line. Other opportunities include shadowing appointments, assisting with activity groups and workshops, providing clerical support and carrying out reception duties. People generally volunteer for one weekday each week between 10am and 4 pm. Local travel allowance is reimbursed. In the mental health sector, each day can vary so we ask volunteers to be mindful of this and to be flexible with tasks that they may be asked to do.
We are keen to recruit volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds, including people with personal experience of mental health problems and recovery. To work effectively with our small, friendly team, you will need to be flexible, caring and reliable and have good listening skills.
Skills / qualities associated with the role: Administration, Oral Communication Skills, Team Working, Written Communication Skills
Are volunteer expenses available?: Yes
Duration of role: Ongoing / Long term
Opportunity times: Monday AM, Monday PM, Tuesday AM, Tuesday PM, Wednesday AM, Wednesday PM, Thursday AM, Thursday PM, Friday AM, Friday PM
DBS required: On
Can reasonable adjustments be made regarding additional needs?: Yes
Is this organisation part of the Sports Volunteering Scheme (SVS)?: No
Minimum hours commitment: 6
Location:
36 New Mount Street
Manchester
M4 4DE