My Black Dog is a community-focused platform offering peer-to-peer conversations for people who are struggling with mental health challenges and trauma.
My Black Dog volunteers are real people, with real experiences, talking to our guests in real time. We are a listening ear and aim to emphasise and connect with people and their experiences of mental health.
Volunteers support our guests through web-chats using their own computer from the comfort of their own home. Shifts are 2-3 hours per week, with volunteers being supported by our My Black Dog team.
My Black Dog volunteers learn valuable peer support skills whilst volunteering with us. These include:
- Peer Support experience
- Mental Health experience
- Access to a varied training programme and resources
- A safe, confidential, collaborative space
- Software to fulfil your role
- Full supervision, including Shift Supervisor access when on shift, Volunteering Manager support and opportunities for peer supervision
- Yearly appraisals with a member of the My Black Dog team to celebrate success, share positive feedback, collaborate on future feedback opportunities and identify further training needs
- A full and comprehensive induction package with a yearly training plan to cover service need
- Access to My Black Dog’s Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for 24/7 support
- Access to other outreach opportunities – such as: assisting at summer festivals, Big Bash and staff interviews
- Opportunity to provide feedback to shape My Black Dog, as well as surveys throughout the year
* Currently only looking for volunteers who are able to cover shifts on Mondays 5-7, Thursdays 5-7 and Fridays 7-10pm.
We are looking for volunteers for have experienced their own journey with mental health and who are in a strong position to support others.
We ask that our volunteers:
- Are strongly committed to helping others
- Have experienced mental health issues in order to relate to those seeking help
- Be willing to talk about your own experiences
- Are 18+ years old
- Can volunteers 2-3 hours a week from home
Talking about your struggles is hard, and we therefore only accept volunteers who can be candid and open up to guests about their experiences. This isn't for everyone, so we urge you to think carefully about volunteering. Don't feel bad if you can't, like I said, talking about this is tough, we totally get it.
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