Volunteer With Us
Volunteer With Us!
Volunteers are the backbone of Mikeysline, generously giving their time, experience, energy and commitment to help others.
Peer support volunteers tend to have first hand experience of mental health challenges, be it their own, with friends and family or professionally.
Whatever your background, anyone who wants to help others has the ability to listen and be empathetic with a desire to support people at an extremely difficult point in their lives is most welcome to apply.
Volunteering Roles
Hive on the Road Volunteers (Sutherland and Caithness)
We’re looking for volunteers to play a role in the delivery of our innovative ‘Hive on the Road’ project in Sutherland and Caithness!
Mikeysline has two ‘Hive on the Road’ support vehicles which help us to reach even more communities across the Highlands, Islands and Moray. Our first vehicle launched in 2024, with the purchase of our second vehicle made possible through funding from The Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales last year.
Each ‘Hive on the Road’ vehicle has been refitted to create a warm, inviting space, perfect for 1:1 support conversations or small group visits.
We are looking for volunteers for our vehicle based in Sutherland which covers the Sutherland and Caithness areas.
What does it involve?
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Travelling with one of our support staff to communities across Sutherland and Caithness to promote Mikeysline services
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Attending local events with our support staff and liaising with businesses and community groups
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Distributing information about Mikeysline services in the communities we visit
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Learning more about Mikeysline and mental health support in the Highlands, Islands and Moray
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Driving the Hive on the Road vehicle (optional)
What does the commitment look like?
It’s entirely dependent on your availability, but we would expect volunteers to have availability at least once a month. We’re looking for help on weekdays and at the weekend and on evenings.
Community Volunteers (Highlands, Islands & Moray)
We often need Community Volunteers to support us in fundraising and awareness raising of our services. As a grass roots charity which receives no statutory funding, our Community Volunteers carry out a valuable role by helping Mikeysline reach people in their own locality who may not be aware of the support servives we provide and/or who may be interested in getting involved in fundraising. They help us break the stigma surrounding asking for help with our mental health and it's a fantastic way to make a really positive difference in the lives of young people and adults in their own communities.
What does it involve?
- Helping set up and man stalls at events; provide leaflets; exchange merchandise for donations
- Attending events organised by external organisations' fundraising events, such as gigs, quiz nights, festivals, sports events, etc
- Keep us up to date on events in your own area where we can raise awareness
- Help to identify local locations for our banners/posters
- Share our social media posts
- Identifying businesses in your local community who would be happy to take a collection tin and collecting them in
- Help Mikeysline to set up Community Volunteer Teams.
What does the commitment look like?
It’s entirely dependent on your availability, but we hope you would engage with us regularly and help with events as much as you can. Most events take place at the weekends but there are also occasional evening events.
Who would the Community Volunteers be working with at Mikeysline?
Our Community Volunteers work with our Bee the Change Manager, Allana and our Events & Fundraising Co-Ordinator/Administrators.
Peer Support Volunteers – Textline & The Hives (Highlands, Islands & Moray)
TEXTLINE - Our text line Peer Support Volunteers, who come from all over the Highlands, Islands & Moray, volunteer on our digital text-based services to provide lifeline support 365-evenings a year. They offer a confidential, non-judgemental, listening ear, while sharing coping strategies and signposting, if necessary, to people of all ages and genders who are struggling with their mental health. Communication is via SMS, Messenger, WhatsApp and Webchat. Shift hours are from 6pm-10pm Sundays to Thursdays, 7pm-7am on Friday & Saturday.
THE HIVES - Our Hive Peer Support Volunteers work with our support team in providing in person, telephone and online support to adults and young people in our Hives. Shift hours vary depending on the Hive location.
As a Peer Support Volunteer, you will be using your own experiences of mental health issues to support, encourage and inspire people experiencing mental health distress. By providing a role model and offering both understanding and support, you will help to raise others’ confidence, self- belief and aid their long-term recovery.
Peer Support Volunteers must have their own, lived experience of a mental health issue, either personally or via a family member or have experience of mental health through a professional capacity.
We also need someone who is aware of how to take care of themselves when supporting others, and, if relevant, you should be a very long way along your own road to recovery.
What does it involve?
- You’ll receive full induction training to provide peer support via our digital text-based system.
- Basic computer skills
- You will be assigned a support staff ‘buddy’ who will check in with you and keep you up to date
- You will be contacted to confirm your availability for shifts well in advance so that you can plan around those
- As a member of our team, there will be an expectation for you to respond to internal communications, especially in relation to shifts. However, we endeavour to keep our communications to a minimum
- You will be invited to attend a monthly support staff team meeting (online option available). Your attendance is subject to your availability
What does the commitment look like?
Ideally, we are looking for a regular commitment of at least one or two shifts per month. Our Office Manager, Bonnie, co-ordinates the peer support volunteer team on a day-to-day basis and will be in regular contact with you in relation to making arrangements regarding your availability for shifts
Note: Vacancies are subject to the current needs of the service, so we would encourage you to please email enquiries@mikeysline.co.uk to confirm that the role you're interested in is currently available, prior to completing the application form below. We will get back to you! As we work with vulnerable individuals all applicants require 2 satisfactory references and a Protection Vulnerable Groups (PVG) check as part of our recruitment process.
