Inspiring, supportive, and committed - just a few of the words we’d use to describe our volunteers.
At Rethink Mental Illness, volunteers are at the heart of what we do. They play a vital role in supporting our services and making a real difference in people’s lives. If you’re looking for a rewarding role where you can have a positive impact while developing your own skills and experience, we’d love you to join us.
About the role
Do you enjoy meeting people, encouraging others, and supporting communities to grow stronger together? We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help local peer-led support groups across Derbyshire to thrive.
As a Group Development Volunteer, you'll:
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Visit a range of peer-led support groups in your chosen district
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Share updates and information from the Group Development Team
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Report back any feedback, information, or concerns to staff
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Encourage groups to build independence and sustainability
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Promote the importance and benefits of peer support
Full training and regular supervision will be provided, so you’ll feel confident and supported in your role.
About the service
The Derbyshire Recovery and Peer Support Service (DRPSS) helps people improve and maintain their mental health and wellbeing, and reconnect with their local community. We offer one-to-one support, telephone support, peer groups, and the development of peer facilitators across the county to anyone over 18 in Derbyshire who is experiencing mental ill health.
By supporting local groups, you’ll help us strengthen the foundations of peer support so that people feel less isolated and more empowered in their recovery.
What will make you a great fit for this role?
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An interest in mental health and supporting those with lived experience
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Knowledge of the local community and area
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Excellent active listening and rapport-building skills
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Understanding of the principles of Peer Support and Recovery
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Ability to relate to people from all backgrounds with a non-judgemental, supportive approach
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Respect for confidentiality and safeguarding responsibilities
It's not essential, but you may also bring:
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Lived experience of mental ill health
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Experience of working with groups or community organisations
How to apply
To apply, simply click the “apply now” button on the advert on our website and complete a short interest form.
If you have any questions about this role, please get in touch:
Annie Nichols (Service Manager) – annie.nichols@rethink.org
Who are we?
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 difference, 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.
We therefore actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including applicants with lived experience, those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (or questioning), Intersex and (asexual) (LGBTQIA+), people with a disability, and people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.