Volunteers’ Week, from 2 to 8 June, is a chance for Bucks Mind to say a huge thank you to our absolutely incredible volunteers.
Over 230 people gave 6287 hours of their valuable time to help deliver a wide range of services; including peer support groups, Adult and Young People’s Counselling, Befriending and wellbeing groups. Not to mention our Trustees, who bring a diverse mix of skills and experience to our charity.
In addition, a staggering 810 children and young people gave their time to support the mental health wellbeing of others in their schools as Peer Mentors.
We could not achieve all that we do to support people’s mental health without our volunteers. They are essential to our work and we would like to say a massive thank you to each and every one. Your support really does make an incredible difference to the lives of people experiencing mental ill-health in Bucks and East Berkshire.
At Bucks Mind, we ensure that we provide training, encouragement, motivation and development opportunities for people who are kind enough to volunteer with us.
Our volunteers tell us that they find the experience rewarding and inspiring.
“Volunteering for Peer Support Bucks has been hugely transformational for me. I came to volunteering at the groups after a period of physical and mental ill-health, and volunteering provided me with the structure and purpose I’d been lacking. I love working alongside the group attendees, getting to know their stories and encouraging them. And, in so doing, I’ve also felt encouraged and supported. Volunteering for Peer Support Bucks has opened up paid work for me in mental health, which I’m really enjoying.“
Claire, Peer Support Bucks volunteer
“ I am honoured to have volunteered to Befriend for Bucks Mind. It is such an enlightening experience to support someone who has had the courage to reach out for help. I am delighted that my time with my Befriendee enhanced her beliefs in herself and know how brave and strong she is in her own right. I feel very privileged and grateful to have been part of her life for six months. It was a truly positive learning experience for me.”
Tori, Volunteer Befriender
“Volunteering for Friends in Need helps my own mental health; I always get such a ‘buzz’ from helping people and it increases my feeling of self-worth.”
Jane, Friends in Need volunteer (pictured)
We are currently seeking a Volunteer Counsellor to join our Young People’s Counselling team. Counsellors seeking a voluntary placement will be at an advanced stage of training (as a minimum you must have completed a foundation/certificate level counselling course or equivalent) and be in the second year of a counselling diploma or equivalent.
To find out more and apply, please click here.
“I have really enjoyed my work as a volunteer counsellor at Buckinghamshire Mind, it gives me great pleasure knowing I am supporting those that need my help.”
Maria, Volunteer Counsellor
From everyone at Bucks Mind, thank you to our invaluable volunteers; you are truly inspirational and we are enormously grateful for everything you do.
Find out more about volunteering with Bucks Mind