Volunteering
GMMH wholeheartedly recognises the value of volunteering for our service users and carers, our staff, and you yourselves as volunteers. We actively encourage the involvement of volunteers across all services, both clinical and corporate.
Volunteers provide a valuable service to the Trust, therefore, it is essential that we recruit, induct and support you properly. Not only does this ensure you feel valued and supported, but it ensures safe practice as our service users are often vulnerable adults and children.
We know that the direct involvement of volunteers in delivering our services can foster better engagement with our service users and carers, empower individuals and communities, and contribute to more responsive services. Volunteering can promote good physical and mental health for you as volunteers yourselves and our service users and carers.
It is part of the NHS 10 Year Long Term Plan. to integrate people with lived experience of mental health difficulties themselves into the workforce. Our service users tell us that they would welcome support from someone who has experience of what they are going through in order to help them in their recovery journey. We have feedback from service users and Volunteer Peer Mentors in our services that tells us that creating this connection between peers offers people hope, aspiration and motivation.
That is why many of our volunteer opportunities are for Peer Mentors and Buddies, but we also have many other opportunities as well. In our in-patient areas for example our service users tell us that although the quality of care is high, they do experience boredom which can exacerbate their condition. Therefore we also have opportunities for Volunteer Activity Assistants in our in-patient areas.
We also recognise that volunteering is a valuable means to support career development for those needing to gain experience in order to pursue their career. As such, we welcome applications for students and the general public.
When we have a vacancy for a volunteer we will list it below. Please click on the opportunities available and pay particular attention to the requirements for the role. You will need to complete our Trust Volunteer Application Form which you can download in order to apply. Please return your completed application form to the contact detailed in the advertisement by the closing date specified.
Thank you and good luck!
Current Opportunities
Next Steps Network (Addictions) - Volunteer Activities Assistant
Next Steps is a peer driven recovery and wellbeing network, built on lived experience, working to build a visible, vibrant recovery community.
We are looking for motivated volunteers to join our existing teams in Bury, Bolton and Salford to support with established Next Steps groups and activities working with people who are in various stages of their recovery.
The volunteer role involves co-facilitating groups and activities with a Community Engagement Worker. Occasional facilitation of groups or activities with other volunteer(s) when the need arises. Supporting people to re-engage with the community through a range of activities organised by Next Steps.
You will have the opportunity to attend events with the team to promote Next Steps and the recovery community to help inclusivity and reduce stigma and judgement.
Please read this document for main duties and responsibilities.
If you would like to apply please complete the application form in the link below and email to:
Mandy Matthews (Community Development Team Leader)
https://www.gmmh.nhs.uk/download.cfm?doc=docm93jijm4n10672.docx&ver=13755
Application Closing Date: 22nd June 2025
Interviews Date: 27th June 2025
Volunteer Activity Fishing Mentor - Edenfield Unit OT
Service: GMMH Edenfield
Location: Adult Forensic Service, OT department
Supervisor: Marie Ainsworth
Role Summary/Purpose
As a person with lived experience of mental health and/or substance misuse problems (be that as a service user or family member/carer), we would like you to share your lived experience to support others in their recovery journeys, as our service users tell us that they would welcome support from someone who has experience of what they are going through in order to help them in their recovery.
We have feedback from service users and volunteer peer mentors in other services that tell us that creating this connection between peers offers people hope, aspiration and motivation.
You would work within the OT department.
Main Duties & Responsibilities:
Thank you for your interest in this role. As part of the role, we would like you to:
· Be available for half a day per week (hours are negotiable as this is a volunteer role) but for continuity we would ask for a weekly commitment.
· Actively engage with others in fishing sessions.
· Use your own lived experiences and mental health difficulties to work with service users in your own recovery to enrich your relationship with service users and mentor them.
· Show beginners how to fish, the do’s and don'ts and help the service users see how therapeutic fishing is.
· Reflect recovery principles in all aspects of your work, ensuring that you, and the resources you use, portray messages of hope, empowerment, possibility, and aspirations.
· Understand and comply with all Trust policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines relevant to this role.
· Understand the services goals and how you can help to achieve them in this role.
· Take responsibility for your own learning and attend regular supervision.
Requirements for the Role:
In order to fulfil the duties of this role we ask that you:
- Have lived experience of mental health and/or substance misuse problems as a service user/family member.
- Have experience of mental health and/or substance misuse services.
- Can commit to at least half a day per week as a volunteer.
- Have experience of fishing.
- Attend GMMH Recovery Academy Train the Trainers Programme.
- Attend GMMH Recovery Academy Disclosure Training.
- Have a basic understanding of safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
- Have a basic understanding of confidentiality and information sharing legislation.
- Have a basic understanding of professional boundaries.
- Have respect and compassion for others and their right to choose and be treated with dignity.
- Have good communication skills.
- Be willing to work as part of a team.
- Are able to communicate effectively with a wide range of people including service users, carers, other professionals, and members of the public.Are able to handle challenging situations and behave in a professional manner.
- Are able to manage conflicting priorities in a sensitive manner.
- Have a positive regard for service users and their families.
If you are interested in applying for this role please complete the application form in the link below and email it to:
Marie Ainsworth (Engagement Support Worker)
https://www.gmmh.nhs.uk/download.cfm?doc=docm93jijm4n10672.docx&ver=13755
Application Closing Date: 28th June 2025
Please note that we strongly recommend that you check with the Benefits Agency that your commitment to volunteering does not penalise you in any way and does not affect your benefits. This role is unpaid, however, we will refund all travel expenses for training and volunteering in line with Trust Policy
Volunteer Digital Navigator - GMMH Digital Research Unit
Role: Volunteer Digital Navigator
Service: GMMH NHS Foundation Trust Research Unit GM.Digital Research Unit
Location: Remote (Virtual) or across all Trust sites.
Supervisor: Dr Heidi Tranter & PPIE Co-ordinator (TBC)
Acronym Buster
GMMH NHS Foundation Trust: Greater Manchester Mental Health National Health Service Foundation Trust
IM&T: Information Management and Technology department of GMMH NHS Foundation Trust
ORCHA: work with organisations to empower people to actively use & embrace digital health
Role Purpose
GMMH’s IM&T along with the Research and Innovation service and the GM.Digital Research Unit recognise the need to support staff, service users, families and friends in the adoption and on-going use of digital health technology. It is widely recognised that people need time to work out their requirements, to consider the implications of using digital technologies, and have a safe space to learn. Several barriers to digital adoption have been identified, such as: living in social housing, being on lower incomes, being unemployed, experiencing disability, rural populations, no recourse to public funds or not in education, employment or training. Keys to improving the use of digital technologies include: connectivity i.e. providing access to technology and capability i.e. having or developing appropriate skills and content which generates motivation.
To add elements of ‘human touch’ and enhance digital adoption, the role of Volunteer Digital Navigator has been developed. Research has suggested Digital Navigators may add value to the clinical team by supporting the choice of apps to use, troubleshooting technical challenges, training in the use of technologies and supporting clinicians. As the role of Volunteer Digital Navigator is a development position, the benefits of undertaking the position are yet to be fully realised or documented. However, parallels can be drawn from the work with Digital Champions, which found that benefits include: self-improvement through gaining additional learning, acquisition of coaching skills, greater self-confidence and increased employability.
Main Duties & Responsibilities:
- To be available for at least half a day per week (hours are negotiable as this is a volunteer role but for continuity, we would ask for a weekly commitment) for a minimum period of 3 months after training is completed.
- To support clinical teams both in person and remotely.
- To work with GMMH colleagues to evaluate digital health technologies and relevant approval processes (e.g. ORCHA).
- To respect individual’s rights to choose approved technological interventions that will help and support them in their own recovery journey.
- To support people in their engagement with health tech interventions, by troubleshooting problems, enabling self-directed learning, and using relational skills to enable users to overcome internal barriers to adoption.
- To work as part of clinical teams and receive and share information within those teams in order to safeguard individuals and support them to achieve their goals.
Requirements for the Role
In order to fulfil the duties of this role we ask that you:
- Have a digital mindset of curiosity, creativity and cooperation.
- Are inspiring, supportive and able to promote confidence.
- Can be patient, a good communicator and able to work collaboratively.
- Have a basic understanding of safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
- Have a basic understanding of confidentiality and information sharing legislation.
- Have a basic understanding of professional boundaries.
- Be willing to work on your own or as part of a team and engage in ongoing training.
- Be willing to join regular video-conferences with R&I, GM.Digital and clinical teams.
If you are interested in applying for this role please complete the application form in the link below and email to:
https://www.gmmh.nhs.uk/download.cfm?doc=docm93jijm4n10672.docx&ver=13755
Please note that we strongly recommend that you check with the Benefits Agency (if you are in receipt of benefits) that your commitment to volunteering does not penalise you in any way and doesn’t affect your benefits. This role is unpaid, however, we will refund all travel expenses for training and volunteering in line with the Trust’s Volunteer Policy.
As a service user, relative or carer using our services, sometimes you may need to turn to someone for help, advice, and support.
Find resources for carers and service users Contact the Trust