The operation of our services depends upon the help of volunteers. We have at least 40 part-time volunteers who provide support to our organisation. We are very grateful for any help given to us.
An application form for the Centre is attached please print this off and return it to the address included. Volunteers will be required to undergo a check by the Disclosure & Barring Service (formerly Criminal Records Bureau). This can take up to four weeks to complete.
Our mission is to improve the lives of people with mental health challenges in South Kent.
Our aims are:
- Build Resilience
We will empower people towards resilience by raising awareness, educating, and providing early intervention opportunities aimed at preventing problems occurring or reoccurring wherever possible, or reducing their impact if they do.
- Provide Relief
We’ll listen, give support and advice, provide comfort and relief through a wide range of services across South Kent and develop and grow our provision/services accordingly.
- Aid Rehabilitation
We support people on their road to recovery so they can reintegrate with their communities and provide wider support with a long-term view of ensuring a positive, healthy, inclusive and productive environment.
Current Voluntary Vacancies
Leaflet Delivers, Raft Race Volunteers, Engagement Volunteers, Artists, Group Support, Community Fundraisers, Journalist, Musicians, Gardening, Supporting member access to Yoga at Three Hills, Volunteer Office Support, Supporting member access to Pilates at Three Hills, Relaxation group support, Walking for wellbeing support
1. Leaflet Deliverers
South Kent Mind are searching for friendly faces to help us deliver leaflets.
We’re particularly eager to promote our upcoming fundraising event- the Right Royal Raft Race, so you will be helping us to raise essential funds for the wellbeing of our community.
If you would like to volunteer for this position, please contact: claire.burns@southkentmind.org.uk
2. Raft Race Volunteers
South Kent Mind are looking for eager volunteers to help out at the Right Royal Raft Race on Sat, 25 June in Hythe.
Race Marshalls
- In charge of noting official race times, directing teams to the start line and marshalling rafts in the waiting area prior to their race.
Volunteer Stewards
- Patrol water edge and directing public to facilities such as race control, toilets and food stands; encourage public to put cash donation in collection bucket.
If you would like to volunteer for either position, please contact: claire.burns@southkentmind.org.uk
3. Engagement Volunteers
Role
We want to have regular contact and build relationships with a range of organisations and groups in South Kent such as:
- Local businesses
- Shops and supermarkets
- Schools and colleges
- Youth groups
- Voluntary organisations
- Community groups
By doing this we want to:
- Advertise our services
- Understand the demand in the community
- Encourage fundraising and donations for us
- Encourage people to take up pay as you go counselling
- Encourage people to think of us if they need mental health training for staff or customers/users
Details
Using a database of organisations and groups you will email or telephone the organisations and establish a key contact person with them. You will then send regular updates to keep the contact live, and respond to any queries, working with the South Kent Mind staff team.
This is not a sales role, but we find by raising people’s awareness of us and making the process easy, people will come to us more with donations and requests for contracted work.
As a local charity, all the money donated goes into providing free services to people who need support with their mental wellbeing.
You will be provided with a South Kent Mind email address, materials and regular support. The role is flexible so other than occasions when you might arrange a time to speak to someone on the phone, it can fit in with times that are good for you.
Skills
You will need to be:
A great communicator; cheerful, chatty and professional
Passionate about what South Kent Mind does
Methodical and organised, keeping records of the conversations you’ve had and contacts you’ve made.
Able to use simple IT
If you would like to know more about volunteering for this role please email claire.burns@southkentmind.org.uk
4. Artists
Role
To host regular art sessions with people accessing our services;
- Engage and encourage
- Introduce new skills
Details
South Kent Mind delivers a growing range of services for people with mental health problems. We recognise the need for our members to have access to a creative output
The aim of the session is to introduce people to the benefits of having time to be creative for their mental wellbeing. It is also to support people that have been unwell to get back into activities in their community.
Using your creative skill set, to plan, engage and deliver creative sessions.
The role is flexible to weekly, fortnightly or monthly
The role is flexible in creative content
Skills
You will need to be;
- Confident in leading a session over zoom and face to face
- A great communicator, cheerful, chatty and professional
- Passionate about what South Kent Mind does
If you would like to know more about volunteering for this role please email claire.burns@southkentmind.org.uk
5. Group Support
We are looking for volunteers at South Kent Mind to assist our variety of weekly groups
South Kent Mind delivers a growing range of services for people with mental health problems. We recognise the need for our members to access a variety of groups with goal led focus, to learn new skills, and aid their recovery and support into their community.
The aim of this role is to be a friendly face to assist a staff member/ potential of leading groups.
Our current groups include ; walking group, creative writing and journaling, relaxation, healthy eating and younger adults to name a few
You will given relevant training to support each activity.
More importantly, you can be with a great group of people, supporting south Kent mind deliver their weekly activities
If you would like to know more about volunteering for these roles please email claire.burns@southkentmind.org.uk
6. Community Fundraisers
Role
Are you looking to meet new people and make friends? Do you enjoy working as part of a team?
We are seeking volunteer community fundraisers to establish a new and exciting community fundraising group in Folkestone and Hythe
Details
The group will be lead and directed by the fundraising team, with full support from staff.
The group will help generate ideas and run local events. They may also be asked to help represent South Kent Mind within the community with cheque presentations and supermarket collections.
Skills
You will need to be:
A great communicator; cheerful, chatty and professional
Passionate about what South Kent Mind
If you would like to know more about volunteering for this role please email claire.burns@southkentmind.org.uk
7. Journalists
Role
South Kent Mind is seeking a journalist to volunteer for two hours a week to supports its mental health and wellbeing work in Dover and Folkestone.
You will create articles for our website or publications which will be promoted via our social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Articles could focus on people stories – both beneficiaries and staff – service delivery milestones, case studies, activities or even our new awards event.
This volunteering opportunity could be delivered remotely but the ideal candidate will live in Kent and have the ability to very occasionally attend one of our events to meet interviewees face-to-face.
Skills
You will need to be:
A great communicator; cheerful, chatty and professional
Passionate about what South Kent Mind does
If you would like to know more about volunteering for this role please email claire.burns@southkentmind.org.uk
8. Musicians
Role
To host regular music sessions with people accessing our services;
- Engage and encourage
- Introduce new skills
Details
South Kent Mind delivers a growing range of services for people with mental health problems. We recognise the need for our members to have access to a creative output
The aim of the session is to introduce people to the benefits of having time to be creative musically for their mental wellbeing. It is also to support people that have been unwell to get back into activities in their community.
Using your creative skill set, to plan, engage and deliver musical sessions.
The role is flexible to instruments used – we have a variety of instruments at our centre
To be inclusive or members variety of musical skill set and musical knowledge.
To be a positive and encouraging session leader
Skills
You will need to be;
- Confident in leading a session
- A great communicator, cheerful, chatty and professional
- Passionate about what South Kent Mind does
If you would like to know more about volunteering for this role please email claire.burns@southkentmind.org.uk
9. Gardening
Role
To host and support regular gardening sessions at an allotment with people accessing our services;
- Engage and encourage
- Introduce new skills
- Organise and plan gardening sessions
Details
South Kent Mind delivers a growing range of services for people with mental health problems. We recognise the need for our members to have access to the outdoors.
The aim of the session is to introduce people to the benefits of being outside, nurturing the land, preparing the land, planting and growing different species, learning new skills, working as a group, encouraging and sharing skills.
To engage members in their local community.
Skills
You will need to be;
- Confident in leading a session
- A great communicator, cheerful, chatty and professional
- Passionate about what South Kent Mind does
If you would like to know more about volunteering for this role please email claire.burns@southkentmind.org.uk
10. Supporting members to access yoga at Three Hills Sports Park
We are looking for a volunteer at South Kent Mind to assist our members in accessing a weekly Yoga session at Three Hills Sports Park. The session runs every Thursday 1.30 – 2.30pm
South Kent Mind delivers a growing range of services for people with mental health problems. We recognise the need for our members to access exercise in a safe and friendly environment. We have a good relationship with Shepway Sports Trust who host the weekly yoga session at Three Hills Sports Park
The aim of the session is to introduce people to the benefits of yoga on their mental wellbeing and their physical health. It is also to support people that have been unwell to get back into activities in their community.
The aim of this role is to be a friendly face to greet members wanting to access the yoga session, as a volunteer for South Kent Mind, you will have the opportunity to participate in the yoga also if desired.
You may also be asked to support people during the session if they have any anxiety or panic, or are otherwise unwell.
You will be involved in the risk assessments for the session and for each participant to ensure it is clear what to do if they have difficulties.
You will be given full training around mental health and health and safety to carry out this role.
More importantly, you can be with a great group of people having a fun yoga session!
If you would like to know more about volunteering for this role please email claire.burns@southkentmind.org.uk
11. Volunteer Office Support
Role
Based in our central Folkestone office.
To support our office team by;
- Admin support
- Filing and organising
- Building community links with schools, colleges, business, community groups etc
Details
To be the friendly organised individual, work well under instruction and able to use own initiative.
Basic admin and IT skills would be useful – training will be provided
This is a flexible role to work around individuals
Skills
You will need to be:
A great communicator; cheerful, chatty and professional
Passionate about what South Kent Mind does
Methodical and organised
Able to use simple IT
If you would like to know more about volunteering for this role please email claire.burns@southkentmind.org.uk or contact@southkentmind.org.uk
12. Supporting members to access Pilates at Three Hills Sports Park
We are looking for a volunteer at South Kent Mind to assist our members in accessing a weekly Pilates session at Three Hills Sports Park. The sessions runs Tuesday 12-1pm
South Kent Mind delivers a growing range of services for people with mental health problems. We recognise the need for our members to access exercise in a safe and friendly environment. We have a good relationship with Shepway Sports Trust who host the weekly Pilates session at Three Hills Sports Park
The aim of these sessions is to introduce people to the benefits of Pilates on their mental wellbeing and their physical health. It is also to support people that have been unwell to get back into activities in their community.
The aim of this role is to be a friendly face to greet members wanting to access these sessions, as a volunteer for South Kent Mind, you will have the opportunity to participate in the activities also if desired.
You may also be asked to support people during the session if they have any anxiety or panic, or are otherwise unwell.
You will be involved in the risk assessments for the session and for each participant to ensure it is clear what to do if they have difficulties.
You will be given full training around mental health and health and safety to carry out this role.
More importantly, you can be with a great group of people having a fun pilates session!
If you would like to know more about volunteering for this role please email claire.burns@southkentmind.org.uk
13. Relaxation group support
We are looking for a volunteer at South Kent Mind to assist our weekly relaxation group
South Kent Mind delivers a growing range of services for people with mental health problems. We recognise the need for our members to access a variety of groups with goal led focus, to learn new skills, and aid their recovery and support into their community.
The aim of this role is to be a friendly face to assist a staff member in delivering the weekly relaxation group
- Greeting members and welcoming to the group
- Assist setting up and clearing of the room
- To participate in group learning a range of relaxation techniques;
- Progressive muscle relaxation
- Mindfulness
- Positive visualisation
- Creativity as a tool to relax
You will given relevant training to support the activity
More importantly, you can be with a great group of people, supporting south Kent mind deliver their weekly activities
If you would like to know more about volunteering for these roles please email claire.burns@southkentmind.org.uk
14. Walking for wellbeing support
We are looking for a volunteer at South Kent Mind to assist our weekly walking for wellbeing group in Folkestone – Tuesdays – 11.30-12.30pm
South Kent Mind delivers a growing range of services for people with mental health problems. We recognise the need for our members to access a variety of groups with goal led focus, to learn new skills, and aid their recovery and support into their community.
To engage with nature, be outside and to be active.
The aim of this role is to be a friendly face to assist a staff member on our weekly walking for wellbeing group in Folkestone.
You will given relevant training to support the activity
More importantly, you can be with a great group of people, supporting South Kent Mind deliver their weekly activities
If you would like to know more about volunteering for these roles please email claire.burns@southkentmind.org.uk
