Volunteering with Norfolk and Waveney Mind can be a really rewarding and useful experience and there's probably more ways of getting involved than you might think.
No matter what you do, you’ll be playing a vital part in helping us to ensure that no one has to face a mental health problem alone.
You can learn new skills, meet new people, gain confidence and, most importantly, have fun!
"I started volunteering with Norfolk and Waveney Mind as I wanted to help support other people and make a difference within my community".
Current Opportunities
Norwich REST Hub Cafe Volunteer
REST is an acronym that stands for Recover, Eat, Support, Talk. Our REST Hubs are located across the Norfolk County Area including: Norwich, Thetford, Aylsham, Kings Lynn and Great Yarmouth.
We are currently renovating the café at our Norwich REST Hub, Churchman House, to ensure the Eat part of REST remains a focal point. Our volunteers remain vital in our delivery of the REST model, and this continues to be the case upon the opening of our new café.
As a Café Volunteer at Churchman House, you will play a vital role in supporting our kitchen and front-of-house team. Your responsibilities will include:
Kitchen Support: Assisting the kitchen team with food preparation, washing up, and organizing deliveries.
Cafe Operations: Helping with the closing of the cafe and kitchen at the end of the day.
Customer Service: Serving food and drinks to customers, ensuring a friendly and welcoming environment.
Cafe Maintenance: Keeping the cafe clean and tidy, collecting items from tables, and delivering food to customers.
Till Operation: Managing transactions at the till and providing excellent customer service.
Food Hygiene: Assisting with food hygiene practices, such as recording temperatures to maintain safety standards.
For more information and to apply click here.
REST Hub Host Volunteer
REST is an acronym that stands for Recover, Eat, Support, Talk. Our REST Hubs are located across the Norfolk County Area including: Norwich, Thetford, Aylsham, Kings Lynn and Great Yarmouth.
The role involves meeting visitors coming in to the main entrance, orientating people to the building and answering general queries about the services and activities available (including the café, library, events and support activities).
For more information and to apply click here.
Ways in which you can volunteer
We are always looking for enthusiastic and competent individuals to help with the administration of our organisation. Roles could include: answering the telephone, data entry and general office tasks.
Our Charity shop in Downham Market are supported by amazing volunteers. Whether it's sorting through donations, making sales or getting creative on the shop floor, there's plenty you can do to help out.
We have lots of community groups to get involved with, including gardening groups and walking groups.
Services and REST Hub Volunteers
We can work with your company to develop a volunteering programme for your staff. From fundraising events to specialist projects. Do get in touch with us!
We have a number of opportunities for volunteers interested in supporting within some of our services.
We have lots of opportunities for enthusiastic volunteers who can help our busy fundraising team and also support at events throughout the year.
Our volunteer trainee counsellor placement roles are for trainee or qualified counsellors who are undertaking or have completed a BACP or UKCP training courses.
We offer up to forty clinical placements and volunteering opportunities across two sites. One in NR7 at Norfolk and Waveney Mind's Head Office and one in the city centre of Norwich in the grounds of Norwich Cathedral.
This service provides clinical placements for counsellors in training and voluntary counselling positions to qualified counsellors wishing to donate their time.
The counsellor in training can gain skills and experience whilst accruing their first 100 hours of clinical counselling practice or if they are qualified they can increase their clinical hours whilst gaining further experience of the counselling relationship.
To register your interest or apply please complete the form below and return to counselling@norfolkandwaveneymind.org.uk.
Hear from our Volunteers and Staff
Aviva Norwich
Corporate Volunteering
Rachel Hurst
Climate Cafe Volunteer
Alex Wiseman, Partnerships Manager talks about Corporate Volunteering
Frequently asked questions
How long will my applicaton take?
We will make every effort to process your application as promptly as we can and get you started as soon as possible however certain standard checks and mandatory training do need to be carried out. So it make take several weeks before you can start.
Do I need any specific skills / qualifcations?
Generally no. All skills and qualifications required for roles are listed in role description
Will I need references?
Yes, we will ask you to provide 2 references
How much time do I need to give?
As little or as much as you like, volunteering can be permanent or short term (example at an event)
What support will I receive as a volunteer?
You will receive an induction to our charity, mandatory training, a main point of contact and regular support. A regular 121.
Can I volunteer whilst accessing mental health services?
We recommend that anyone wishing to volunteer is in a place of recovery for a minimum of 12 months
Will I get paid expenses?
Yes. We reimburse out of pocket expenses in line with our Travel, Expenses & Subsistence policy.
Are their any age restrictions?
Service support role volunteers must be 18 years and over.
Can I volunteer if I have a criminal record?
Having a criminal record is not necessarily a barrier to volunteering with us. Any offences will be considered individually and factors will be taken into consideration, such as how long ago the offence took place and the circumstances surrounding the conviction.
I am in receipt of benefits, can I still volunteer?
If you are in receipt of benefits including means tested benefits, there will be no impact at all as long as the only money you get from volunteering is to cover expenses such as travel costs
and you continue to meet the conditions of the benefit you get.
What happens after I have submitted my application?
After you apply, our Volunteer Coordinator will be in touch to meet for an informal chat. This is not an interview, just a chance to get an idea of what you want to do, to get to know you, understand your availability and answer any questions you may have.
After the chat, if offered a volunteer role with us, and you are happy to proceed with your application, we will then complete some reference checks, DBS checks, complete an induction programme with you,and then you are ready to volunteer.
For further information, please email volunteering@norfolkandwaveneymind.org.uk or call 0300 330 5488