Support Worker Volunteer - Norfolk and Waveney Mind

Role Purpose

To help create an environment where people still severely affected by their experience of mental ill-health feel welcome and can establish supportive relationships with others.

To enable people to develop, at the earliest possible stage in their mental health recovery, the personal skills, confidence and resilience they need to take part in everyday activities in the wider community and establish a way of life acceptable to them.

All duties to be performed in line with the operational policy laid down by the Executive Committee.

Main Duties of Role

• As directed by the Senior Personal Assistant or Team Leader, assist with the daily running of the day opportunity service to help promote a stimulating environment that helps service users achieve the best level of social integration and engagement in activities appropriate to their individual needs.
• Use language and communication skills to develop a rapport with service users (and their carer if appropriate) but within appropriate and transparent boundaries.
• Pass on any relevant information enabling staff to keep accurate records respecting confidentiality at all times.
• Help promote opportunities to learn or relearn and maintain skills and routines to promote independent living and suggest ideas to further, enhance and develop the project.
• To participate in annual supervision.
• All duties to be performed in line with the operational policy laid down by the Executive Committee, which can be found in the Policy Manual kept at the project.
• All duties to be performed in line with Health and Safety policy, to be found in the Health and Safety Policy Manual kept at the project.
• To support the implementation of Norfolk and Waveney Mind’s Quality Management system and Equal Opportunities policy.

Rights

• To be given an induction and training in the organisation of Norfolk and Waveney Mind, its structure and its expectations.
• To be given clear guidelines and an induction of how much time is expected from them and who to report to.
• To be given such information about a service user or job as is necessary to carry out activities.
• To be reimbursed for out of pocket expenses as agreed during an introduction meeting.
• Not to be expected to replace paid staff duties and responsibilities.
• To have the support whereby they can share any concerns or emotions with a senior member of staff as appropriate.
• The right to leave Norfolk and Waveney Mind if they feel no longer able to continue as a volunteer.
• To be considered and have protection against injury/accident by liability insurance.

This is an outline of the volunteer’s role.  It is not intended as an exhaustive list and will change from time to time in order to meet the changing needs of Norfolk and Waveney Mind.