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Peer Support Volunteer - Bipolar Scotland Post Diagnosis Support

  • Bipolar Scotland
  • VO96301
  • Home-based volunteering

Description

We would like to meet people who live with bipolar disorder and who have reached the point that they are managing their bipolar well. If you would like to spend a little of your time helping someone who has recently been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, then we would like to hear from you.

The Volunteer Role:
Working collaboratively with the Peer Workers and other colleagues, our Peer Support Volunteers provide complimentary practical and emotional support to those who have been newly diagnosed with bipolar.

Our volunteers are able to utilise their lived experience of living well with bipolar disorder, to inspire and empower those who use the service to acquire and enhance skills to improve their personal resilience and enable them to live well with bipolar too.

They will draw on their knowledge and skills to provide practical support in areas such as personal finance, budgeting, social inclusion, employability and education to support individuals to achieve their goals, to create meaningful and sustainable connections with other sources of support within their communities and instil a sense of hope for the future and what they can achieve.

Volunteering times are flexible on any day, either morning, afternoon and evenings, to mutually suit the volunteer and the person benefitting from peer support. We would expect approximately 2 hours per week time commitment.

Induction training is provided, as are additional on-going training opportunities. Support is proved by our Volunteer Manager and our Peer Support Workers.

We would encourage you to consider the impact of volunteering in a peer role on your own mental health and wellbeing and ensure you feel ready and able to support others. We do understand that mental health will fluctuate and will provide support as needed throughout your volunteering journey with us.

Organisation aims and objectives

We are Scotland’s national charity for everyone who lives with bipolar disorder and those who care for them. We challenge stigma and discrimination while representing the views of people who live with bipolar to politicians, professionals and others.

Availability

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening

Frequency and commitment details

Volunteering times are flexible on any day, either morning, afternoon and evenings, to mutually suit the volunteer and the person benefitting from peer support. We would expect approximately 2 hours per week time commitment.

Restrictions

Experience required: • Must have lived experience of bipolar • Good listening and interpersonal skills • Understanding of recovery and the elements which help and hinder the recovery process • Previous experience supporting others is desirable but not essential • Able to build trusting relationships • Able to share personal experiences of mental health and recovery in a way that supports, empowers and brings hope • Personal commitment to the values of equality, empathy, confidentiality and respect
Travel details: Most volunteering will be via on-line platforms such as Zoom or Skype, for example, or by telephone. In some cases, if volunteers live close enough to a person benefitting from the peer support, then we would pay for travel costs/fares and other relevant expenses.
Minimum age: 18

Support

Expenses paid: Yes
Expenses details: Most volunteering will be on-line, however, if people live close enough to meet up in person, then travel expenses can be paid.

Last updated 13 days ago

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