As people experiencing mental health problems becomes more prominent, it’s now more important than ever to support people experiencing poor mental health.
Why volunteer to support people with their mental health?
Volunteering is all about making a difference. Volunteering in mental health offers a powerful way to make a positive impact while also benefiting your own mental wellbeing. As highlighted in the latest NCVO Time Well Spent survey 75% of people who volunteered stated ‘It improves my mental health and wellbeing.’
Whilst having lived experience of mental health conditions can be helpful if you wanted to volunteer in this area, it is not a requirement. You may not have navigated mental health challenges yourself but may have supported someone who has, such as a friend or family member.
Volunteering can be a great way to enhance your skills and experience, especially if you are looking for a career in this field. Through volunteering, you can gain first hand knowledge of what it’s like to work and can be a positive contribution to your CV, enhancing your future job prospects whilst making a meaningful contribution to your community.
Where to volunteer?
Across Sefton there are many organisations who support people with their mental health. Here are some organisations looking for volunteers:
The Crisis Café– Crosby or Southport
The Crisis Café is open Friday-Sunday from 5-11 pm. They offer drop-in sessions to over 18s as a safe alternative to A&E. The Crisis Café is a social space and the team is always there with the kettle on standby.
Sean’s Place – Bootle/Litherland
This men’s mental health charity is based in Litherland. Sean’s Place aims to improve men’s mental health and well-being across Sefton and the Liverpool City Region through support specifically identified to improve confidence and self-esteem for men whilst reducing symptoms of depression, stress and anxiety.
Swan Women’s Centre – Bootle and Southport
This charity helps women to achieve mental well-being and provides services for women and teenage girls who experience anxiety, depression, stress or mental health issues.
Sefton Carers Centre – Waterloo and Southport
Give guidance, support, activities and training to the army of unpaid carers who live in the borough. Their listening ear volunteer role offers informal and confidential support, to carers who are suffering bereavement, loss, anxiety, depression and isolation or just need someone to offload and talk to.
Home Start Southport and Formby
Home Start is a voluntary organisation promoting the welfare of families. They offer regular support, friendship and practical help to families under stress. They are looking for volunteer to support parents to improve their confidence and build better lives for their children.
Change, Grow, Live – Bootle
You can volunteer for the Merseyside branch of Change, Grow, live by becoming a peer mentor. The charity mainly works with people from across society who have drug and alcohol addiction.
This project supports men to successfully resettle back into the community by engaging them with a volunteer mentor who works with them weekly on a one-to-one basis to remove the triggers of offending behaviour. You must be over the age of 21 to apply for this role.
National Charities
Mind – this national mental health charity has a number of volunteer roles including remote roles and charity shop position. It campaigns for better mental health awareness, challenges stigma, and ensures no one faces mental health issues alone. Mind also influences policies to improve mental health services.
Samaritans – volunteers for the Samaritans offer 24/7 emotional support to people in emotional crisis. You don’t have to be a call handler, you can help with admin, accounts, fundraising and more. Samaritans aims to reduce suicide rates and ensure no one suffers alone.
Citizens Advice –a UK charity offering free, impartial, and confidential advice to help people resolve legal, financial, and other issues. Covering topics like debt, housing, employment, and benefits, it empowers individuals with knowledge and support. Citizens Advice advocates for fair policies and tackles systemic problems affecting communities. You can volunteer in your local office or remotely.
Childline – Childline is a UK-based charity providing free, confidential support to children and young people under 19. Accessible via calls, chat, or email, it offers help with issues like abuse, bullying, mental health, and relationships. Run by the NSPCC, Childline ensures young people always have someone to listen and support them.. They are looking for volunteers from across the country for a variety of roles including call handling and volunteer councillors.
Volunteer Centre Sefton 