Frequently asked questions

Here we try to answer the questions that we are regularly asked about volunteering for us. If you still have a burning question or would like to find out more, please send us a message.

  • Who can volunteer at MindSpace?

Anyone over the age of eighteen can volunteer for us. 

  • Do I need any experience to become a volunteer?

No experience is necessary as suitable training to the role will be provided.

  • What skills do I need to volunteer?

The skills required for a role depend on the opportunity and project. For some roles, there is no specific set of skills required. We look for enthusiasm, commitment, and values.  

  • What will I get out of volunteering?

It depends on why you have chosen to be a volunteer. Volunteering is a great way to use your existing skills or further your skills and knowledge, as well as meet new people and gain confidence. Many volunteers get huge satisfaction out of making a difference to the lives of those with a mental health problem. It is also a good addition to your CV. 

  • What training do you offer volunteers?

You will attend an induction, where you will learn all about MindSpace and receive mental health first aid training. 

You will also attend a 1-hour ‘Community Listening’ course. If you are identified as a suitable candidate and wish to become a 1:1 listener, you will have the opportunity to attend a full listening course. 

You will also be given an induction to the session you are supporting.

  • Do volunteering hours count towards ‘counselling hours’ for my course?

We are unable to offer therapeutic or counselling placements for volunteers. MindSpace is not a clinical setting and any hours you volunteer would not necessarily contribute towards your course or degree.  

We do not offer formal supervision. 

Due to confidentiality procedures, volunteers are not permitted to share any aspect of their interaction with our members.

  • What support will I get?

We will make sure you have all the information and support you need to perform your role. The lead volunteer will be the main point of contact, so you know who to go to with any questions or concerns.

  • We are a business, how can we support you?

If you are a business looking to support MindSpace, either via a fund-raising day or adopting us as your nominated charity, then please get in touch using our contact form.

  • Can I leave if I don’t like it?

Yes of course. We want all our volunteers to have a worthwhile and positive experience so we welcome feedback on how we can improve. We encourage volunteers to talk to us before making the decision to leave.

  • What is asset-based community development?

Asset-based community development is a strategy for the sustainable development of communities based on the strengths and assets which already exist within the community. 

This approach supports individuals and communities by helping them to identify and share their strengths, enabling them to tackle the social detriments of health inequalities. 

MindSpace encourages members of the local community to share skills which will benefit the mental health and wellbeing of others.  

  • How much time do I have to give as a volunteer?

Volunteering is not just about attending the premises for sessions. The amount of time needed is different for each opportunity. It could be one-off, short- or longer-term commitment. We require everything from bakers to keep us stocked-up on cake, to green-fingered people who want to get involved in our community garden.

  • What checks do you make?

As part of our safeguarding policies, we ask you to disclose if you have any convictions that are unspent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, when you express an initial interest. As part of our equal opportunities policy, we wish to ensure that we do not discriminate against ex-offenders. However, some posts within MindSpace are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 as they involve working with vulnerable adults and will require a DBS check. By using the DBS to assess volunteers, we comply with the DBS Code of Practice. We are committed to treating all applicants equally.

  • How else can I help if I cannot volunteer?

Donations are gratefully received to help cover the costs associated with our town-centre base and maintaining our activities – all of which are all offered free of charge.

>>Please click here to see a list of our activities<<

>>Please click here to make a donation<<

What our volunteers say about volunteering for MindSpace:

"MindSpace is important to me because, having had a lived experience, I feel so grateful it has given me the opportunity to give support to others in their time of need. I feel highly privileged and proud to be a part of the very valuable MindSpace team"

"I love being a MindSpace volunteer because we feel like a truly supportive team of each other and our members"

"Having had mental health issues in the past, I now have a deep understanding on the subject and I get great satisfaction in now being able to support other people."

Jennie Widdop

"I became a volunteer after having my own struggles as a teenager. I have a passion for helping teenagers and young people, whether that be with a mental illness or just a place for them too feel like they fit in and to make some new friends. So when I got the opportunity to lead the 18-26 social groups I jumped straight in!"

Ellie Fox-Ricketts

"I became interested in volunteering after ‘beating’ my own battle with poor mental health and wellbeing. I became interested in the mechanisms I used to help myself out of a dark period of my life and the psychology behind these. As a result I had heightened empathy for those still struggling and wanted to use my new-found ‘light’ and ‘optimism’ to try help others in anyway I could. I love volunteering with MindSpace as I really feel part of a community - something I had not yet found after moving to Stamford. I have made precious relationships with both ‘members’ and fellow ‘volunteers’ which in turn hugely helps my own wellbeing."

"MindSpace activities are invaluable in maintaining my wellbeing and are ones that otherwise I would not be able to afford. Helping others, however small my contribution really helps my own wellbeing - which makes sense when MindSpace introduced me to the 5 ways to wellbeing. ‘Give’ (time, words, presence) as well as ‘Connect’ are two of the ‘ways' (as well as ‘be active’ which the activities facilitate). Finally, the ‘mindfulness’ course (and other online courses more recently) which I was able to access through my volunteering has helped me massively continue on my journey of my own wellbeing as well as deepening my understanding of the vast area of wellbeing - which fulfils the final of the two ‘ways’: 'take notice’ and ‘keep learning’."

"Everyone has mental health needs. When life’s challenges become difficult for whatever reason I think it is so important that somewhere locally there is a safe space to be. Somewhere where there are trained people able to listen well if people want to open up, or, just to provide a safe welcome. MindSpace offers this and I am very pleased to volunteer for such a positive organisation that puts everyone’s emotional and mental health needs first. A local charity funded by local people which is in the heart of the community."

Pat