Bristol Mental Health Buddy
Role title:
Location:
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Bristol Mental Health Buddy Volunteer
Bristol, Assessment & Recovery / Crisis Service
Senior Volunteer Coordinator
About Second Step
Second Step's aim is to deliver recovery and well-being opportunities for people with
mental health and other support needs to achieve their hopes and ambitions. Second
Step operates in B&NES, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. We have a
range of services including supported housing, support within the community, mentoring,
befriending, peer support services and psychological therapies. Volunteering opportunities
are available in most of these areas. Second Step has ‘Investing in Volunteers’ quality
standard accreditation, with an emphasis on volunteer development and progression.
About this role
This role is to provide companionship, befriending and support to Bristol Mental Health
service users, helping them to improve well-being, self confidence and independence, and
reduce social isolation. The role will be working within the Assessment and Recovery
and/or Crisis services. The Assessment and Recovery service offers recovery-focused
support and help to access other services. The Crisis service supports those experiencing
a mental health or emotional crisis and also offers a 24/7 crisis line.
Buddies and service users will meet once a week for up to three months to offer support,
reassurance and encouragement to access social, community and leisure activities. Within
the Crisis service the first two meet ups will be on a hospital ward at Callington Road or
Southmead, to plan community based activities following discharge. Buddy volunteers will
also support service users during a change-over of services eg from Crisis to Assessment
and Recovery, and/or at service discharge. Volunteers will accompany service users as
they move through services and ensure they are fully supported. This role aims to build
social networks and contacts through social prescribing and community focused activities.
What sort of things will I do?
 Develop an open and trusting one-to-one relationship with a service user for up to 3
hours a week, work with service users at their pace and provide a safe sounding board.
 Maintain clear boundaries with service users and other support workers or services.
 Provide companionship and the opportunity to chat each week, out in the community.
 Encourage service users to attend social activities, help them to build confidence and
independence and to develop links and support within the community.
 Help service users identify areas of interest and research activities and social groups.
 Work closely with Bristol Mental Health staff in the Assessment and Recovery service /
Facilitated Early Discharge workers in the Crisis service; shadow where appropriate.
 Promote recovery-orientated practice, hope, and independence.
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What skills and experience do I need?
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Strong communication skills with service users, other volunteers and staff
Be reliable and keep pre-arranged commitments with your service user
Enthusiasm and interest in encouraging service users to become more involved in their
local community and attend local groups or activities
Ability to work within a team and keep accurate and up to date records
Be non-judgmental and able to respect a person’s right to choose how they live
We welcome volunteers with lived experience of relevant issues
What commitment do Second Step need from me?
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A minimum commitment of 12 months volunteering
A minimum of 3-4 hours per week for volunteering excluding training / support sessions
To attend training and support sessions as required
To maintain confidentiality and adhere to health and safety guidelines
To abide by and put into practice the Equal Opportunities Policy
You must be free from drug / alcohol misuse and living independently; and have been
so for the past six months
Please note: We require all volunteers to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service
Check. We recognise that some people may have offending history and this will not
necessarily exclude you from volunteering with Second Step.
What will I get from Volunteering?
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Comprehensive induction training and full induction into your role
On-going support and regular catch up sessions with supervisor
Out of pocket expenses including travel expenses
Opportunities for personal development and progression
Chance to meet new people and work alongside Second Step staff / partner agencies
Chance to build your CV and develop new skills, attend training and group work
Valuable first hand experience supporting someone one on one
Experience of working within Bristol Mental Health services and shadowing AWP staff
What are the next steps?
Application  Interview  DBS References  Training  Induction  Volunteer!
How to Apply
To apply please complete all sections of the application form and return to the address
below. If you would like help with your application please contact us on 0117 909 6630.
Second Step
9 Brunswick Square
BRISTOL BS2 8PE
[email protected]
Second Step are a partner within:
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