Volunteers are an invaluable part of the Best For You programme – they play a huge part in delivering the best possible care to Best For You patients and their families.
Many patients in mental health services say they want to be supported by people that look like them, sound like them and have similar backgrounds to them. Ultimately, they want to be supported by people they can relate to.
This is where volunteers come in and why they’re such a huge part of the Best For You programme.
What volunteers do
Many patients who are supported by the Best For You programme find mental health services incredibly lonely. Being in hospital is a scary and isolating time for anyone – it’s especially difficult for young people who are separated from their friends, family, and usual surroundings.
We’re looking for volunteers who can support the patients in the Best For You programme through befriending and support roles. The roles could involve spending time with young patients directly on the wards at the hospital or spending time supporting patients’ family and friends.
Our volunteering roles are non-clinical and mostly involve working directly with young people. We recruit for different roles at different times of the year, depending on where the need is greatest. The Best For You roles will all involve working with young people and working in the mental health services team. All the roles require volunteers to be flexible and adaptable – the primary focus is to support patients and clinical staff.
Our volunteers come from all walks of life and represent the diversity of the communities we work with. In return for their time and dedication, we give our volunteers opportunities to build skills, meet new people, and make a real difference to members of the local community.
Time commitment and location
It takes time and dedication to volunteer and to make a difference, so all volunteers need to commit to a volunteering shift of at least three to four hours a week for at least six months.
The roles are all based at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital or in the surrounding area.
Who can volunteer
Volunteers must:
- be 18 years of age or older
- have the right to work in the UK
- be able to meet the role’s commitment
- have an email address
How to apply
Volunteer applications are closed at the moment. If you’re interested in volunteering, please complete the Best For You volunteer application form to register your interest. We’ll get back to you when we re-open applications.
If you want to know a little more about the volunteering opportunities, please email Tina.
COVID-19 and safety
The welfare of patients, staff and volunteers is our top priority. We have robust policies and processes in place for deploying volunteers safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes supplying PPE, maintaining high levels of hand hygiene and social distancing, and providing appropriate training. You will have the opportunity to discuss any concerns you have around COVID-19 during the application process.
Any questions?
If you have any questions or if you’d like to talk more about our volunteering opportunities, please email Tina.
Find support for young people
Get mental health support for young people
Information about mental health services (including CAMHS) if you’re a young person in Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kensington and Chelsea, or Westminster.
Digital mental health support for young people across the UK
Information about apps, websites, and other digital tools that exist to support you with your mental health and wellbeing.