Bristol Mind could not provide the services without the continued commitment of volunteers . The following projects use volunteers.

Mindline
Advocacy
UFM
Office Volunteers

Mindline

• If you are interested in working on the telephone helpline you must be aged 21 or over.
• We run two volunteer training programmes each year, one is usually in February/March and the other in September/October.
• Having completed the training you would work on a rota basis answering calls Wednesday to Sunday, 8pm to midnight.

What we offer you:

• extensive, high quality, OCN accredited training.
• regular supervision and support.
• out of pocket expenses.
• the opportunity to develop your skills and build your knowledge.
• to be part of a lively team.

• to attend all the training sessions.
• to work a four hour shift each fortnight.
• to work with us for a year.
• to attend volunteer meetings.
• receive supervision after you have worked on the helpline.

Dates of next training: October/November 2008. All day Mondays and Tuesday evenings, for 6 weeks. This course is now full.
Introductory evenings: You will need to have attended an Introductory evening before applying for the training. These evenings take place a month or two in advance of the training. We can contact you when the dates have been set, if you send back the reply form which is in the information pack.
Contact : Mindline Administrator on 0117 980 0381 or email mindline@bristolmind.org.uk for an information pack by email or by post. If you would like to receive the pack by post, please leave your name and address.

Advocacy

Volunteer Advocates who will be confident enough to work with a wide range of people. Advocacy promotes social inclusion, equality, and social justice and is a means to help people speak up for what they want and need, complain about services and have their views heard. It is a much required service to individuals in the community.

Next Training : April 2008
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer advocate, the next advocacy volunteer training starts in April 2008. The dates for the next training course are 8 consecutive Thursdays 3rd April - 22nd May, 9.30am - 3.15pm. If you are interested you will need to attend an "Introductory Session".
Contact : Claire Barnard on 980 0376 or advocacy@bristolmind.org.uk for times and dates.

Download the Advocacy information and application pack.

UFM

User-focused monitoring (UFM) is a way of conducting mental health research that attempts to place mental health service users at the heart of the process. People who have had, or are currently experiencing mental health difficulties plan the research, design questionnaires and interview other service users who have recently used mental health services. They then write up the findings and present them to service users and staff.

Volunteers are usually current or ex mental health service users.
Contact : UFM worker at Bristol Mind on 0117 980 0388 or email ufm@bristolmind.org.uk

Office Volunteers

Bristol Mind's Office volunteers provide invaluable support dealing with telephone enquiries , developing publicity material . We are currently reviewing our office policies and hope to offer further volunteering opportunites in the New Year

Contact : Bristol Mind on 0117 980 0370 or email admin@bristolmind.org.uk for further details.