Our Peer Support Buddys provide dedicated, tailored, one-to-one support to mums, dads and their families in person and/ or via email or phone.
Core Tasks
- Offer parents one to one support, in person or via email or phone
- Build up a trusting relationship and, as appropriate, support them to attend Light peer support groups
- Assess how the family is doing during the course of the relationship and feedback any concerns to the Volunteer Coordinators
- Keep a record of meetings and send copies to the Volunteer Coordinators
- Promote the mental health and wellbeing of the mum/ family and provide them with any information on services which are relevant
- Attend any training that is a necessary part of the role e.g. Safeguarding, and follow Light policies and procedures, as explained at induction and training
- Understand and maintain confidentiality
- Understand and follow Light’s safeguarding and lone-working policies and procedures
Skills / experience/ qualities needed
- Good listening skills and empathy with families
- A caring and positive attitude to helping and supporting families
- Have an interest in women’s mental health around childbirth
- Have a non-judgmental attitude, an awareness of equal opportunities and the ability to work in accordance with equal opportunities principles
- Understand and maintain confidentiality
- Willingness to attend training & mentoring meetings
Skills / experience you will gain in this role
- Experience making a difference to families lives, offering them much needed support
- A chance to develop your people and listening skills
- Experience working with mums and families who a struggling with their mental health and gain a better understanding of how support services work in Sheffield
- A chance to gain experience in a voluntary organisation
Benefits of the role
The role of peer support buddy is an exciting and fulfilling role working with people.
- We provide full training, support and supervision
- We can provide a valuable opportunity for you to develop and update current skills, whilst gaining new experiences and meeting a wide range of different people
- Learn how to support each individual
- Gain awareness and understanding or perinatal mental health illnesses
Expenses
The types of expenditure for which we provide reimbursement are:
- Travel Expenses
- Reasonable meal expenses when volunteering more than 5 hours at an event
- Reasonable parking fees related to volunteering
How to Apply
To find out more about our Buddying programme and our other volunteering opportunities, or to apply to become a volunteer with Light Peer Support, please email our Volunteer Coordinators on [email protected] or phone 0114 438 8962