Ways to get involved

Volunteering with us can be a really rewarding and valuable experience. And there are more ways of doing it than you might think.

All our volunteering opportunities are advertised on this page. If there’s nothing for you right now, why not follow us on one of the social media platforms. This will keep you up to date with the latest news and opportunities.

Befriender Volunteer

Befrienders offer a vital lifeline to people who may be feeling lonely or isolated. Whether it’s meeting in person or chatting over the phone, your time and companionship can have a lasting impact.

As a volunteer befriender, you’ll receive full training and ongoing support to help you feel confident and prepared in your role.  Our befrienders have enjoyed coffee outings, walks, trips to the cinema, meaningful conversations, shared laughter—and most importantly, they’ve helped improve someone’s wellbeing.

We’re currently looking for volunteer befrienders across the whole of West Essex. 

If you’re interested, please apply at the bottom of this page.

Supporter

Supporters are volunteers who prefer flexible, occasional involvement rather than committing to regular roles like befriending.

This might mean lending a hand at one-off events such as the Soapbox Derby or Mental Elf, getting involved with our community allotment projects when you have spare time, or helping out at other ad-hoc activities throughout the year.

If you’d like to become a supporter, you can apply at the bottom of this page.

Administration

We don’t have any volunteer roles in administration at the moment — but please check back soon or follow us on social media for the latest updates and future opportunities!

Peer Support

Peer support is about building connection through shared experiences. Whether you’ve overcome mental health challenges, navigated difficult life circumstances, or simply know what it’s like to feel stuck or alone — your story can help someone else feel seen, heard, and hopeful. 

Peer support volunteers can get involved in a number of ways such as facilitating groups and delivering short courses.

Do you want to use your lived experience to support others on their journey?

We’re looking for compassionate, non-judgmental individuals who can be flexible.

If you’re interested, please apply at the bottom of this page.

Trusteeship

Our trustees have the responsibility for running our charity. They are all people from our community who use their skills and experience to make our organisation a continuing success.

If you think you have the skills to become a trustee, please get in touch at volunteering@mindinwestessex.org.uk

Counselling placements

We offer placements to students currently undertaking training to become qualified counsellors.  To apply, please fill in the application form at the bottom of this page. 

If you have any questions and wish to discuss this opportunity, please contact bscoltock@mindinwestessex.org.uk or call the Dunmow office on 01371 876641