About this role
Job summary
Purpose of Volunteering Role: Wayfinder volunteers will support our CMHT's by providing a warm, friendly presence for service users attending appointments. They help reduce confusion about where to go, and make the centre feel more welcoming and less stressful so service users feel supported from the moment they arrive. This is a voluntary role which is unpaid.
Must be 18+, live within the Black Country, and able to travel to Brierley Hill Health and Social Care Centre - Venture Way, Brierley Hill DY5 1RU (travel expenses will be reimbursed for bus/car travel)
We are looking for individuals available on a weekly basis, to support on a regular schedule. Please see below times you could support:
- Mondays - between 9-4
- Tuesdays between 9-12
- Wednesdays between 9-1
- Thursdays - between 9-12
Please note in your application your availability.
We encourage all of our volunteers to support for a longer-term period (6 months or longer). This helps provide stability for staff and service users, and ensures volunteers gain meaningful and valuable experience.
Main duties of the job
Examples of how you can help us:
Please refer to Volunteer Role Description for further information CMHT's service users will continue to report to reception on arrival for their appointment After check-in, Wayfinder volunteers will be available in the reception area to offer a friendly face and guide service users to their appointment from reception. Volunteers are not responsible for crisis management. If a service user shows any behaviour that may indicate risk, reception will contact the appropriate clinical team before a volunteer provides Wayfinder support. Disclaimer: This opportunity is subject to the successful completion of employment checks (DBS, ID, references and relevant e-learning). This role is voluntary and unpaid, and you are free to leave at any time. However, by remaining in the role for a reasonable period, both you and the organisation will gain the greatest benefit from the experience.
We also actively encourage individuals with lived experience to apply for our vacancies. Please note that we are unable to accept recent service users into roles within the same site or service where they received care. This helps maintain clear boundaries, protects confidentiality, and ensures individuals have enough distance from their own recovery to feel confident and supported in a volunteer role.
About us
Working for our organisation
Black Country Healthcare is a major provider of NHS mental health services for more than a million people across Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton:
Adult and older adult mental health services
Specialist learning disabilities services Mental health services for children and young people Community healthcare for children, young people and families in Dudley We're proud to be rated Good by the Care Quality Commission, and that many of our staff have won awards for their work.
Job description Job responsibilities
We are looking for volunteers who have these qualities:
Organised, punctual and reliable - desirable that volunteers can support for a minimum of 6 months, regularly, to provide stability for the team and themselves. Personable, friendly and welcoming - able to communicate well with patients and staff and build rapport. Good communication skills - compassionate and encouraging Able to follow confidentiality policy and professional boundaries to keep themselves and patients safe. Enthusiasm and desire to help improve experiences of patients and improve wellbeing. Basic Computer Skills - Ability to use some digital technology for training and communications - we can support you with this
Person Specification
values Essential
Can display trust values Live within Black Country, within a reasonable travel distance to our sites Over 18 years old Availability matches role description
Desirable
Passion for mental health services
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Address Brierley Hill Health and Social Care Centre
Venture Way,
Brierley Hill
DY5 1RU
Employer's website https://www.blackcountryhealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)