Befriending & Volunteering Coordinator

Spinx; East Hertfordshire; On-site; GBP 13,000 - 15,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

25 days annual leave

Bank holidays and birthday off

Job summary

Rethink Mental Illness is seeking a compassionate Befriending & Volunteer Coordinator to support East Hertfordshire's adults with mental health challenges. You will recruit, train and supervise volunteers, match them to individuals in need, and help people access local services while maintaining accurate records.

The role is field-based across Hertfordshire, part-time (21 hours) on a fixed-term basis, with DBS checks required.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting people with mental health needs.
• Experience recruiting, coordinating or supporting volunteers.
• Confidence facilitating groups, training sessions or workshops.
• Ability to build meaningful relationships with volunteers, community partners and people accessing services.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proactive, solution-focused approach and strong organisational abilities.
• Understanding of risk management, safeguarding and person-centred support.

Responsibilities

• Recruiting, onboarding and supporting volunteers throughout their journey.
• Matching volunteers with individuals who would benefit from befriending support.
• Delivering inductions, training sessions and regular volunteer supervision.
• Facilitating volunteer meetings, coffee groups and wellbeing activities.
• Building strong partnerships with local voluntary organisations and community networks.
• Supporting people to access local services, activities and social opportunities.
• Maintaining accurate records, reports and service data.
• Promoting safe, person-centred and recovery-focused support.
• Helping us continuously improve and develop the service.

Skills

Volunteer recruitment

People skills

Training sessions

Interpersonal skills

Risk management

Safeguarding

IT skills

Tools

Microsoft Office

Database systems

Job description

Location: Field Based across Hertfordshire
Contract: Part Time 21 Hours, Fixed Term
Salary: £14,726.95
DBS Check: Enhanced with Adults Required

At Rethink Mental Illness, we know that meaningful connections can transform lives.

We're looking for a compassionate and organised Befriending & Volunteer Coordinator to help tackle loneliness, reduce isolation, and support people living with mental health challenges across East Hertfordshire. In this rewarding role, you'll recruit, train and support volunteers who provide vital one-to-one befriending relationships, whilst helping people reconnect with their communities and build confidence in their daily lives.

If you're passionate about mental health, love bringing people together, and thrive on seeing others grow, we'd love to hear from you.

About the Service

Our Rethink Companions Befriending Service supports adults experiencing mental health challenges across East Hertfordshire (excluding Bishop's Stortford). The service combines volunteer-led befriending, community coffee groups, wellbeing activities, and community connections to help people improve their wellbeing and reduce social isolation.

Working alongside a dedicated team, you'll play a key role in ensuring both volunteers and the people we support have positive, meaningful experiences.

What You'll Be Doing

No two days are the same, but you'll spend your time:

• Recruiting, onboarding and supporting volunteers throughout their journey.
• Matching volunteers with individuals who would benefit from befriending support.
• Delivering inductions, training sessions and regular volunteer supervision.
• Facilitating volunteer meetings, coffee groups and wellbeing activities.
• Building strong partnerships with local voluntary organisations and community networks.
• Supporting people to access local services, activities and social opportunities.
• Maintaining accurate records, reports and service data.
• Promoting safe, person-centred and recovery-focused support.
• Helping us continuously improve and develop the service.

About You

We're looking for someone who combines excellent people skills with strong organisation and coordination abilities.

You’ll bring:

• Experience supporting people with mental health needs.
• Experience recruiting, coordinating or supporting volunteers.
• Confidence facilitating groups, training sessions or workshops.
• The ability to build meaningful relationships with volunteers, community partners and people accessing services.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• A proactive, solution-focused approach and strong organisational abilities.
• An understanding of risk management, safeguarding and person-centred support.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office and database systems.
• Flexibility to travel across the service area, with access to your own vehicle.

Together, we're working to create a better quality of life for everyone severely affected by mental illness.

Why join Rethink Mental Illness?

We believe people do their best work when they feel supported, valued and able to be themselves. You'll benefit from:

• An inclusive culture, with colleague-led staff networks for Disability & Neurodiversity, Race & Ethnicity, LGBTQIA+, Gender Equality and Menopause.
• Flexible working and 25 days' annual leave (plus bank holidays and your birthday off), with the option to buy or sell leave.
• Wellbeing support including our Wellbeing Hub, Employee Assistance Programme, Wellbeing Champions and Unmind.
• Learning and development opportunities to help you grow your career.
• Financial and family benefits including a contributory pension, enhanced family leave and travel schemes.
• Recognition and rewards including discounts, cashback offers and a Blue Light Card.
• Referral bonus where you can earn up to £300 for introducing someone to our team.

Our commitment to inclusion

We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter. We're also committed to becoming a truly anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider supported by a multi-year equity, diversity and inclusion programme of work. For more information please view https://www.rethink.org/media/hdtjjy5b/revised-edi-plan-rethink.pdf

We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences and want everyone to have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and experience. If you need reasonable adjustments during recruitment or when in your role, please let us know and we will work with you to understand what support you need.