• Opportunity to contribute to the community and build strong relationships
• Volunteer role | Commitment to roughly 2 hours / fortnight
• Various Metropolitan Locations

Mind Australia is one of the country’s leading community-managed specialist mental health service providers with a range of residential, mobile outreach, centre based and online services. We have been supporting people living with the day-to-day impacts of mental illness, as well as their families, friends and carers for over 40 years.

We provide practical and motivational support that helps people to develop the skills they need to move on, thrive and improve the quality of their lives. It’s an approach to mental health and wellbeing that looks at the whole person in the context of their daily life. Mind is committed to diversity and social inclusion.

About the role

PALS is a social and recreational program where volunteers are matched one-on-one with a person experiencing mental ill-health and social isolation. The focus of the program is building social connectedness, developing social and recreational opportunities, and creating warm and supportive relationships. We have opportunities in these suburbs:

Inner suburbs: Prahran, Hawthorn, Fitzroy, Northcote

North - Brunswick, Coburg, Epping, Glenroy, Northcote, North Melbourne, Preston, Mill Park, Mernda

North West – Ascot Vale, Moonee Ponds, Greenvale

West – Werribee, Williamstown

East - Croydon

About the opportunity

Our volunteers provide invaluable support, generously giving their time, energy and skills to the program and its participants. We look for people to commit to the PALS program for at least 12 months. This will involve:

• Meeting with the consumers once a fortnight for around two hours – this can vary.
• Helping the individuals recovery journey by believing in them, by being there and listening, encouraging them to develop and build new skills, and assisting them to participate in the environments in which they live.

What you’ll bring

Volunteers come from all walks of life. To become a volunteer you do not need specific skills or experience in mental health – we look for people who have compassion for those experiencing mental ill-health and the time to give to make a difference. Our consumers often have special requests that can significantly impact their recovery, if you have a specialised skill or are passionate about any of the following we would love to hear from you.

• Love the outdoors?
• Enjoy going out for coffee/lunch or browsing in op shops?
• Enjoy art/craft or making things?
• Enjoy a good gym workout or playing sports?
• Practice mindfulness or yoga?

Benefits

• Receive an induction to Mind and PALS, training, and ongoing support throughout your time with the PALS program.
• Develop an understanding of mental health and ill-health.
• Make a difference in the life of a person living with mental ill-health.
• Help to reduce stigma around mental ill-health in the community.
• Foster a sense of self-worth and satisfaction.
• Have fun!

Interested?

To obtain a position description and apply online click apply now - reference number 14379.

Please provide a cover letter that addresses the below points.

• Why you are interested in this volunteering opportunity?
• Tell us about yourself (skills/interests/hobbies)
• Availability to volunteer (morning, midday, evening/ weekdays and weekends)
• Are there any other considerations that we should be aware of which could assist us with the matching process?

We welcome applications from Indigenous Australians, people with a lived experience of mental ill health and recovery, people with disability, those who identify as LGBTIQ and applicants from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The successful applicant is required to complete comprehensive reference and background checking prior to employment, including a Working with Children Check and NDIS Worker Screening Check