Peer Supporter

As a Parents in Mind volunteer, you'll support parents who are struggling to manage the emotional load that early parenthood can present. You'll work with other trained local volunteers to offer both 1-1 and group support, in person and perhaps online, in which parents can feel heard and supported to overcome the sense of overwhelm, isolation or anxiety they might be experiencing.​

What’s involved?

• Completion of free 21 hours Parents in Mind mental health training (accreditation available)
• Delivery of 1-1 and/or weekly group support, in person and/or online, to assigned service users who have been assessed by the staff team to be appropriate for support from the programme 
• Providing of brief feedback via an online link after each support session, to inform next steps for client care.
• Attend quarterly online ‘Reflective Sessions’, where volunteers can come together to discuss successes, challenges, ask questions about support, and reconnect socially with fellow peers 
• Access to NCT’s free clinical supervision (where appropriate) to care for your own mental health 

Parents in Mind volunteers are:

• Parents themselves, aged 18+, with experience of the overwhelm and wellbeing challenges of early parenthood
• Mentally well & passionate about making a difference to new parents by offering a friendly, reliable, kind ear
• Reliable team players, who are non-judgmental, supportive and calm, whilst remaining warm and informal 
• Able to observe confidentiality and be patient, appreciating small but important steps clients make 

Time commitment:

• Offering 2 hours per week for 12 months term time to provide support to local parents 
• Initial training runs for 2/3 hour per week over 5-7 weeks – a selection of daytime and evening cohorts available every January, April and September

What can you expect from us?

• To be surrounded by passionate, inclusive, genuine parent volunteers - the nicest people you could meet!
• The opportunity to make a genuine difference to the wellbeing of new local parents
• Access to free accredited mental health training (equivalent of a GCSE A*-C / 9-5 grade) 
• Pastoral and clinical commitment to, and support for, your mental health - from the moment you register
• Regular opportunities to socialise, connect and learn with our local and national peer support community
• The ability to enhance your CV by honing a set of valuable transferable skills: active listening, group hosting, 1-1 support, online facilitation, reflecting on and assessing client progress, understanding safeguarding responsibilities and escalation protocols, amassing of knowledge about local and national support for mental health and care pathways, development your own self-reflection capacity. 
• An increase in your confidence, knowledge & self-care strategies, through empowering others to do the same