Neurodivergent Social Group Volunteer -Online (CSVA)

Mary Frances Trust is a Surrey-based charity supporting people with mental health and emotional wellbeing. We offer a variety of services to adults (16+) including wellbeing courses and advice, a range of activities and interest groups, peer support, self-help groups, individual support and volunteering opportunities. We engage volunteers from a variety of backgrounds to help us by assisting the staff team to deliver our work to clients that seek our support, across Mole Valley, Epsom & Ewell, Banstead and Elmbridge.

How you can help

 Working closely with our member of staff / facilitator, this role will complement and support the service delivery of our online Neurodivergent Social Group. This will be a rewarding role for someone seeking a regular opportunity. The group runs on a Monday each week and volunteers can opt to do either weekly or fortnightly sessions.

This group provides a safe, non-judgemental environment for people to meet and talk which includes individual attendee ‘check ins’ where members can ask for input on positive coping strategies and ways of resolving certain issues they may be facing.

This role would suit someone with experience or lived experience of neurodiversity but primarily, we seek good people skills, common sense and the ability to get alongside others in a relaxed setting. It includes a small amount of time either side of the group meeting to brief and debrief.

Due to the nature of our work, this role would suit someone wanting a more medium to long term involvement. Some clients may have communication and confidence difficulties due to a number of health-related issues.

Key Points

• Weekly or fortnightly involvement

• Mondays 6:50pm to 8:45pm  (7.00-8:30pm service)

• Online Medium to long term involvement (9-12 months plus)

• Typically attracts 10-12 attendees

What we ask of you

• Support the member of Staff / facilitator to run the weekly group

· Sign in (keep a register), welcome and help attendees feel relaxed and included

· Support the staff / facilitator with any difficulty that may arise

· Treat all client information as confidential

· Respect the need for personal & professional boundaries with clients

· Report any safeguarding concerns to staff in a timely manner to ensure clients are able to access the support they need (safeguarding training will be provided

What skills do I need?

Qualities that make a successful Peer Support Group Facilitator

Experience or lived experience

· Good interpersonal skills

· Reliable, friendly, flexible

· Confident, positive, patient, empathetic, compassionate

· Ability to ask for help (if you don’t understand)

· Ability to work as part of a small team

· Passionate about supporting other people