Mental health charity seeking volunteers to join its support team

The mental health and wellbeing charity Aware is seeking volunteers from all over Ireland to join its support team

Aware’s work involves providing support, education and information services for people affected by depression and bipolar disorder.

Aware relies on the dedication of its community of around 400 volunteers, who enable the organisation to continue to provide its free support services nationwide, essential services that have a profound impact on individuals and families throughout Ireland.

No prior qualifications or experience is required, as comprehensive training, as well as ongoing support and education, is provided by the organisation. Applications are being accepted now at www.aware.ie.

Aware will host a one-hour volunteer information session on Zoom this Thursday, August 22, at 7pm for those who would like to learn more about volunteering with Aware, what the roles involve, and to hear current volunteers share their experiences.

Registration for the Zoom session is at Aware's website. The charity is currently recruiting volunteers for the following areas:

Support Line: The Aware Support Line is a crucial service providing callers with telephone support and information about issues relating to their own mood or the mood of a friend or family member who may be experiencing depression, bipolar disorder or other mood related conditions. It operates 365 days a year from 10am to 10pm.

Support & Self Care Groups: Support & Self Care Groups offer a space where people living with depression and bipolar disorder can talk openly with peers in a group setting and explore the helpful options available. The groups take place virtually via Zoom and phone in, with a number of in-person locations to include Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Kerry and Waterford.

Life Skills Online: Based on the principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), this is an 8-week programme designed to help participants learn more about how we think and how this can influence our actions in helpful or unhelpful ways. Participants benefit from the support of an Aware volunteer each week as they work their way through the programme.

Aware said it's crucial that potential volunteers are compassionate, possess good communication skills, take direction, and show enthusiasm and passion for mental health and the work of Aware.

It added that's it's also vital that applicants were willing to make a weekly commitment of three hours to Aware, participate in ongoing training as required, and are confident using technology.

As part of the recruitment process, all volunteers are guided through a series of training sessions to teach them how to respond to various scenarios by allowing clarification, consideration of options and encouraging helpful actions while adhering to Aware’s ethos, policies and procedures.

These volunteering opportunities are available to people all over Ireland over 21 years of age. Aware said it can facilitate and support remote volunteering.

For more information, visit: www.aware.ie or phone Aware on 01 6617211.