What do our volunteers do? The day in the life of a Peer Mentor

Our volunteers cover a range of vital roles in Richmond Fellowship. Georgia, a Peer Mentor, tells us a little bit about her time as a volunteer.

A day in the life of a Peer Mentor at Richmond Fellowship

Hi I’m Georgie and I’m a Peer Mentor for Richmond Fellowship at our Hammersmith and Fulham Employment and Wellbeing Service. There is a team of Peer Mentors all running different types of groups. I was offered the opportunity to facilitate group sessions for two hours on Wednesdays.  Just like the people in the group, I have been through mental health challenges of my own and this experience helps me to connect with the people we support. The others run a Mindfulness group and another does Yoga; we hold groups in pairs or as a team.

I have been through mental health challenges of my own and this experience helps me to connect with the people we support.

On the weekend, I like to think about the next session and research the topic. For each one I like to have a topic which sparks conversation and reflection in the group.  I’ll find handouts and make notes. On my journey to White City I read my notes and get my thoughts in order. Then when I arrive, I set out chairs in a circle and prepare my notes. The group arrives in dribs and drabs and I’m always so pleased to see everyone. I’m delighted that they keep showing up.

I start each session with some games. Then we chat about our week and I’ll outline the session plan. Sometimes the group wants to focus on something different or one topic takes up the whole time as we get very deep into a discussion. I have to be flexible and sensitive to both the group dynamic and individuals to make sure everyone has the opportunity to contribute. I also lookout for anyone who is getting uncomfortable; it can be challenging but I always have some games on standby to lighten the mood. The goal of these games is always to promote group cohesion and fun. We all get to have a bit of a giggle!

Sometimes I may self-disclose about the topic we are discussing but this is not necessary for Peer Mentors. For example, if we are discussing responses to anxiety I will share with the group my challenges and what I did to manage them. This encourages others to feel comfortable sharing their own successes or difficulties with the group.

Time is always up far too soon. I give out proactive tasks each week. It can be anything, from observing negative thoughts for the week to sourcing a positive affirmation that they can share with the group next time. They don’t always do it, but I keep on trying!

I get plenty of support from the Wellbeing team and the Peer Mentor Coordinator. They look after my wellbeing and make sure I’m comfortable running my group. I can raise any concerns I have and the team are always available to help me.

When the people we support tell me that what we are doing has really helped or that they really enjoyed the session, it absolutely makes my day.

When the people we support tell me that what we are doing has really helped or that they really enjoyed the session, it absolutely makes my day. There is no doubt that this is the highlight of my week and I have grown so much from this experience. Through my efforts to aid others in their self-awareness, self-empowerment and routes to recovery, I have been encouraged to also focus on my own growth. Every person we support is wonderful in their own way and the care they give each other, despite the challenges they face, is truly inspiring!

Find out more about volunteering including how to apply here.

What do our volunteers do? Be-friender

Hi I’m Robin and I’m a befriender at Richmond Fellowship’s Hammersmith and Fulham Employment and Wellbeing service. To be a befriender you need four things: empathy, charisma, commitment and passion. Oh and you have to be a good listener!

Most befrienders will spend 1-2 hours a week volunteering, but this can increase as you become more comfortable and confident with talking to people.  You may eventually be matched with several people to provide companionship.

On any given day you could be talking, providing one to one support, going for walks together, exploring new places like parks and museums, meeting for coffee or accompanying your befriendee to appointments or a social group. I enjoy hearing positive feedback and about personal growth. Many of the people I speak with are very grateful for the service, which makes me proud to be a part of it. Befriending has helped me learn the value of silence in conversation, not rushing to fill gaps, but using the time to think. I have learnt that I am a good listener.

Befriending has helped me learn the value of silence in conversation, not rushing to fill gaps, but using the time to think. I have learnt that I am a good listener.

As a befriending volunteer you will also need to attend group supervision once a quarter with the option of individual support. Group support is an opportunity to meet with other volunteers at Richmond Fellowship and reflect on how your volunteering is going, what you’ve found challenging, what you’ve enjoyed and what you’ve learnt. Hearing that people are going through difficult times in their lives can be challenging, but being there to offer companionship and signpost to services that can help is a positive side.

Hearing that people are going through difficult times in their lives can be challenging, but being there to offer companionship and signpost to services that can help is a positive side.

Volunteering with Richmond Fellowship Hammersmith and Fulham Employment and Wellbeing Service will also provide you with the opportunity for training. On top of your induction training, we offer Open College Network (OCN) training which covers what it is to be a volunteer, essential skills that you need and understanding recovery, as well as the option of a ‘Tell your story’ module. But best of all befriending has helped me develop my interpersonal skills, giving me valuable experience working with people.

Click here for more information on volunteering with Richmond Fellowship.

Could you volunteer for our Leicester Life Links service?

Our Richmond Fellowship Life Links service in Leicestershire is currently looking for volunteers.

We provide a wellness and mental health recovery service tailored to meet individuals needs.

Our information, advice and navigation services can help find community and digital resources that will help to achieve your recovery outcomes, make independence more sustainable and provide support in developing support networks.

Our community recovery support is available as an individual or as part of a wider group and can be provided at a local community venue. The support we offer focuses on strengths, needs and future aspirations.

Volunteers will be working alongside staff to provide support to those experiencing mental ill health through our information, advice and navigation service.

Volunteers will be delivering this service via a phone line and monitoring our website. This will also be provided out in the community at our open surgeries and at events. Another opportunity we have is becoming a Peer Support group volunteer. This includes helping to facilitate peer support groups for those who have lived mental health experience. These opportunities are a great way to get experience working alongside those experiencing mental ill health and is extremely rewarding.

We need people with empathy, excellent listening skills and a non-judgmental attitude. You do not need any previous experience as you will be provided with full training and an opportunity to develop this further if you wish. We need reliable volunteers who are able to dedicated a minimum of 6 months of their time to our service.

We welcome volunteers and really appreciate their commitment and efforts as they are essential to the services we provide. Continuous support is provided.

For further information or to apply please email: VolunteeringinLLR@RichmondFellowship.org.uk.

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Emma Gerring, 31, from Cowes is the registered manager of a local care home and is taking on her challenge to support national mental health charity Richmond Fellowship and their services on the island. Read more

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Kevin’s wife Jo had a long  history of anxiety and severe depression and was advised by doctors to give up work and challenge herself to do something fulfilling as Kevin explained:

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Richmond Fellowship, part of Recovery Focus, the national group of mental health and substance misuse charities, are calling on people to volunteer their time to support people living with mental health problems in Huddersfield and Kirklees.

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