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:

1. Travel Expenses
2. Reasonable meal expenses when volunteering more than 5 hours at an event
3. 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 contactus@lightpeersupport.org.uk or phone 0114 438 8962