Volunteer Activity Worker - (Springfield - Monday)

South West London & St George's Mental Health NHS Trust; City Of London; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

A local mental health services provider is seeking an Activity Volunteer to support service users at Springfield Hospital. This rewarding role involves encouraging users to engage in meaningful activities, while offering a pathway to further opportunities within the organization. Volunteering provides invaluable experience in a clinical setting, helping you make a real difference in people's lives. Flexible hours available to fit around other commitments.

Benefits

Access to training in key areas

Potential references upon completion

Support for Armed Forces Community

Qualifications

• Proficient level of English for communication; verification of competency tests required.
• Commitment to personal development and supporting team environment.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships with service users, encouraging participation in activities.
• Support staff in running sessions and help with activities based on personal interests.

Skills

Empathy

Resilience

Reliability

Communication

Job description

Overview

Would you like to make a difference in the lives of people experiencing mental health challenges? Join us as an Activity Volunteer at Springfield Hospital, where you'll help service users engage in meaningful activities that promote recovery, resilience, and hope. This is a rewarding opportunity to gain firsthand experience in a clinical setting while making a real difference in people's lives.

Career Progression & Development

We're committed to supporting volunteers in achieving their career goals. This role offers a pathway into Bank positions and includes access to ongoing training in key areas such as Safeguarding, Health and Safety, and Equality and Diversity. Volunteering with us provides valuable experience that can support progression into paid employment, and we are happy to provide references for volunteers who complete their volunteering.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships with service users, encouraging participation in group and individual activities.
• Support staff in setting up and running sessions.
• Help service users explore meaningful hobbies, provide positive feedback, and when confident, co‑facilitate a group with support from the Occupational Therapy team.
• When confident, co‑lead activities that reflect your own interests or skills.

Qualifications & Personal Attributes

• Empathy, resilience, and reliability.
• Commitment to personal development and a supportive team environment.
• Proportionate level of English language proficiency for written and verbal communication; the Trust verifies competency test results.

Benefits & Working Conditions

• Flexible volunteering – Monday mornings to balance volunteering with other commitments.
• Mandatory reference and ID checks and training requirements, typically completed several months before starting.
• Opportunities to receive training in safeguarding, health and safety, and equality and diversity.
• Potential to receive a reference upon completion of volunteering.
• Support for the Armed Forces Community and provision of reasonable adjustments for disabled candidates.

Equal Opportunities & Diversity

• Disability committed employer; welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
• Member of Stonewall Diversity Champions and Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion.
• Staff networks: BME (Evolve) Staff Network, Christian Staff Network, DiverseAbility, Deaf Staff Network, Mental Health Staff Forum, Women’s Staff Network, LGBTQIA+.
• Committed to supporting the Armed Forces Community and has signed the Armed Forces Covenant.
• We are a smoke‑free Trust.

Important Notes

• Closing date is a guide only; the vacancy may close earlier if sufficient applicants are received.
• By submitting your application you agree to transfer to a third‑party e‑recruitment system.
• If you do not hear from us within three weeks of the closing date, your application has not been successful.
• Priority consideration may be given to at‑risk NHS employees.
• Appointment is subject to successful completion of a probationary period, depending on the band.
• Employment is offered subject to successful completion of the Probationary Period.

About the Organisation

South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust provides a full range of local mental health services to the Kingston, Merton, Richmond, Sutton and Wandsworth London boroughs, as well as specialist forensic mental health services, including specialised services such as national deaf adults and CAMHS inpatients and OCD. The Trust is rated 'good' by the Care Quality Commission and aims to be 'outstanding'. Our mission is "making life better together"; we value being consistent, compassionate, collaborative, respectful and open. We invest further in upgrading and modernising our estate, including two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital.

Location

Springfield University Hospital, Tooting – a 19‑ward site in Springfield Village created following a £150m investment into world‑class mental health facilities. The site includes a 32‑acre public park, shops and cafés, and is easily accessible via the Northern Line, Earlsfields, and Tooting rail stations, as well as bus routes.