• Be a part of a passionate team, leading best practice in mental health support, prevention and empathy
• Recruit and coach like-minded volunteers, devoted to harnessing the power of their lived experience to support people struggling day-to-day
• Volunteer/internship position – Flexible location Australia-wide

ABOUT YOUR ENVIRONMENT

Since our establishment in 2020, Linkmate has developed an international reputation for our innovative work in mental health research, prevention and support. As a social enterprise, we play a leading role in preventatively supporting Australians who experience challenges with their mental health.

Taking inspiration from the UK and other parts of Australia, Linkmate has adopted a novel, community-based approach to mental health support. This involves peer support using the lived experience of others like you and me, active listening and social prescribing. The latter refers to non-medical support that people can access in their local community.

The Volunteer Mate Team is responsible for connecting with our members on the Linkmate app, listening to them, validating their struggles and inspiring hope with their own story. To achieve this, the Team is accountable for responding to chat requests on the app and signposting members to additional sources of emotional and practical support in their community. This dynamic Team takes a continuous improvement approach to active listening and empathy, ensuring members have a great experience on the Linkmate app.

ABOUT YOUR OPPORTUNITY

We are seeking a Volunteer Engagement Manager to lead the Volunteer Mate Team. Your role is to:

• Find potential candidates to join Linkmate as a Volunteer Mate
• Guide candidates through the onboarding process:
  • Successfully complete training course (80% and above)
  • Interview with the Linkmate team
  • Provide valid National Police Clearance Check
• Demonstrate how to share your lived experience of mental health challenges from a perspective of strength, resilience and learning
• Hold mock chats with newly onboarded Mates to simulate real conversations about mental health on the app
• Use your own understanding of mental health challenges, service use and the road to recovery to educate Volunteer Mates

ALL ABOUT YOU

We are looking for someone with:

• Experience in volunteer engagement
• A lived experience of lifestyle challenges
• A passion for helping others
• Developed interpersonal and customer service skills

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• The opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of those affected by mental health challenges
• A flexible and supportive workplace with excellent work-life balance
• Hands-on work experience in a managerial role
• The chance to draw meaning and purpose from your lived experiences

“Peer work can enable you to derive meaning and value from your adverse experiences and enable you to make a contribution to helping others. These are really significant, life-changing things”

Linkmate will only make contact with applicants that are shortlisted for interview. We are also unable to respond to recruitment agency enquiries.

All offers of employment will be made subject to satisfactory completion of employment checks including evidence of right to work in Australia, and a National Police Check.

Linkmate is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Linkmate is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace, all applicants will be considered for employment regardless of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability status. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

Linkmate has a strong commitment to the safety, wellbeing and protection of all members. We therefore have robust screening procedures in place for all volunteers. This will include a criminal record check and referee checks.