Volunteer With Us
Be inspired…
Our staff, volunteers, and patrons champion our vision to create a community where living with, and talking about Mental Health, becomes acceptable for everyone.
Here at Dorset Mind, we actively welcome a rich diversity of applicants to our volunteering roles. This will help us provide better services to all of the communities we are here to serve. We especially welcome people with lived experience of mental health conditions. This means individuals who have personally faced mental health challenges or have supported someone else dealing with such issues.
Sharing your experience and skills could enable us to change the lives of many.
You’ll also gain from the experience of volunteering, whether it might be to give you purpose, or increase your confidence or skill set to find paid employment.
It’s worth noting that 25% of our current staff began their journey as a volunteer!
View our voluntary vacancies below and be inspired to make a real difference to people in Dorset today.
Current Opportunities
Main Purpose:
To let people know about the work of Dorset Mind across Dorset (including: support services, training, education, partnership and volunteering opportunities). They will also be required to signpost people towards appropriate help where required.
Key Responsibilities:
- To create the Vision of Dorset Mind:
· A community where living with and talking about Mental Health becomes acceptable for everyone.
- Through the delivery of our Purpose we:
· Connect minds: We bring people together to make change in their communities.
· Change minds: We speak out and demand better from policymakers and the public.
· Support minds: We deliver life-changing support.
- Work as part of the Events team to promote the work and profile of Dorset Mind.
- Talk knowledgeably about Dorset Mind and mental health to anyone visiting our stand at various events.
- Confidently signpost people to appropriate help.
- Distribute information leaflets when needed.
Role Title: Grants & Bids Volunteer
Report to: Income Generation Lead / CEO
Team: Income Generation
Hours: Flexible; 3–4 hours per week
Location: Remote
Overall Commitment: We ask for a minimum commitment of 3 months
Main purpose
The Grants & Bids Volunteer will support Dorset Mind in securing funding from trusts, foundations, grant-making organisations, and other funding bodies. By researching opportunities and supporting the development of high-quality funding applications, you will play a key role in helping Dorset Mind continue to deliver and expand vital mental health services across Dorset.
This role is ideally suited to someone with previous experience in grant fundraising, bid writing, funding research, or proposal development who is looking to use their skills to make a meaningful difference within their local community.
Key Responsibilities
- Research and identify suitable grant and trust funding opportunities.
- Review funding criteria and assess suitability against Dorset Mind’s services, projects, and strategic priorities.
- Maintain a pipeline of funding opportunities and upcoming deadlines.
- Monitor funding databases, websites, and newsletters for new opportunities.
Grant Writing & Applications
- Support the preparation, writing, and submission of grant applications.
- Draft compelling funding proposals, project descriptions, and supporting narratives.
- Review and edit existing funding applications and supporting documents.
- Work with staff to gather information, statistics, case studies, budgets, and impact data required for applications.
- Assist with presentations and supporting documentation where required.
Grant Writing & Applications
- Maintain accurate records of applications, deadlines, outcomes, and funder communications.
- Contribute ideas and recommendations to improve fundraising and grant-seeking activity.
- Attend volunteer meetings and contribute feedback, suggestions, and updates.
- Work collaboratively with Dorset Mind staff and volunteers to maximise funding opportunities.
What We Are Looking For
We are looking for someone who wants to make a real difference to mental health across Dorset. This role would suit an individual with previous experience in grant fundraising, bid writing, trust fundraising, funding research, or proposal writing.
You will be proactive, organised, and confident working independently to identify funding opportunities and support the development of compelling applications. Strong written communication skills are essential, along with the ability to research effectively and manage deadlines.
This role offers flexibility, autonomy, and the opportunity to make a tangible impact. Training and support will be provided where required.
What we offer
- Dorset Mind Induction and Mandatory Training
- Safeguarding Training
- Mental Health Awareness Training
- Regular supervision provided
- Ongoing support and development
- Access to previous applications, organizational data and funding resources
- Flexible volunteering
What you’ll gain
- Experience supporting charity income generation and fundraising strategy
- Further development of grant writing and bid-writing skills
- Insight into the charity and voluntary sector
- Experience working with funding opportunities, impact reporting, and project development
- Networking opportunities with Dorset Mind staff and volunteers
Role Title: Digital & Communications Volunteer – Social Media & Content Creator
Report to: Income Generation Lead & Communications Lead
Team: Income Generation
Hours: Up to 15hrs per week
Location: Remote / Dorset Mind HQ, Bournemouth
Overall Commitment: We ask for a minimum commitment of 3 months
Main purpose
The Digital & Communications Volunteer will support Dorset Mind’s digital and communications activities, helping to raise awareness, engage communities, and support fundraising efforts. The role focuses on social media management, content creation, and digital storytelling, ensuring Dorset Mind’s messaging is creative, consistent, and inclusive.
You will work closely with the Income Generation team, Marketing Volunteers, and staff to maximise the impact of campaigns, events, and fundraising activity across digital channels.
Key Responsibilities
Digital & Content Creation
- Create high-quality, engaging content for Dorset Mind’s social media platforms (Instagram, LinkedIn, X/Twitter, Facebook, TikTok).
- Assist with planning, scheduling, and posting social media content using tools such as Hootsuite or Canva.
- Contribute to website content updates and support SEO-friendly copywriting.
- Use analytics to track engagement and suggest improvements to campaigns.
- Support PR & Marketing volunteers in producing content for campaigns, events, and fundraising initiatives.
Marketing & Communications
- Plan, pitch, and execute creative content ideas that reflect Dorset Mind’s mission and values.
- Produce multimedia content including graphics, videos, photos, and storytelling posts.
- Proofread and edit content to ensure accuracy, consistency, and alignment with charity objectives.
- Ensure brand guidelines and accessibility standards are maintained across all materials.
- Collaborate with the team to promote Dorset Mind campaigns and fundraising opportunities online.
Collaboration & Support
- Work closely with staff and volunteers to coordinate content creation across campaigns.
- Contribute to team meetings, sharing ideas and insights on social media trends and best practice.
- Support internal communications, including newsletters and updates to staff and volunteers.
What we offer
- Dorset Mind Induction and Mandatory Training
- Safeguarding Training
- Mental Health Awareness Training
- Regular supervision provided
- Ongoing support and development
What you’ll gain
- CV & Employability Boost – develop skills in event support, fundraising, teamwork, and communication
- Networking – meet Dorset Mind staff, volunteers, supporters, and local community members
- Recognition – receive a certificate or reference for your contribution
- Wellbeing & Fun – participate in positive, engaging events and campaigns
- Social Impact – every hour you volunteer helps support mental health across Dorset
Title: Volunteer Mentoring Coordination Assistant
Responsible to: Head of Volunteering
Time commitment requested: 10 hours per week/flexible
Duration: Minimum of 6 months
Location: Office based (Bournemouth), remote
DBS check: Required for this role
Main Purpose
To carry out a range of administrative and coordination work to support the successful Mentoring service at Dorset Mind. Responsibilities may include (but are not limited to):
- Support matched participants and volunteers. You will assist in managing and supervising wellbeing and paperwork related to matches.
- Be trained in the whole process of Mentoring from completing assessment, monitoring forms, the skills of matching the suitability of participants and volunteers, reviews and creating smooth endings.
- Creating and modifying documents using a range of computer applications
- Copying, scanning and compiling documents
- Data entry onto CRM system and spreadsheets
- Completing paperwork and updating electronic client files
Key Responsibilities
- Support the mission of Dorset Mind by:
- Raising awareness within general and specific communities about mental ill health. Educating people about symptoms – what they are, what to expect and how to spot them. We also help people about what they can do when they experience symptoms or know someone who does.
- Challenging the stigma and inequality of mental ill health so that neither stigma nor inequality prevent people receiving information and support they need.
- Promoting the ethos of recovery from mental ill health by educating people about recovery
- Assisting in managing and supervising matched participants and volunteers
- Creating and modifying documents using Microsoft applications such as MS Word, Excel and Power-Point
- Performing administrative duties including but not limited to photocopying, scanning, mailing and electronic filing
- Contacting Mentoring volunteers and participants as required to support the coordinator to carry out assessments or complete monitoring forms
- Working with the Mentoring team to ensure that all necessary service paperwork is collected and complied and maintaining confidential, up-to-date and accurate records
- Attend organisational meetings as required
- Abiding by Dorset Mind’s Confidentiality and Data Protection procedures when handling sensitive data
- To adhere to Dorset Mind policies and procedures
- To follow the Volunteer Code of Conduct
What we offer:
- Full training and DBS check
- Ongoing support from a knowledgeable and supportive team
- Regular events with other volunteers so you can compare and share your experiences; and feel a part of our movement
- Travel expenses in line with the policy on volunteer expenses
What we offer...
Our volunteers often come to us to help prevent others from experiencing what they’ve been through themselves.
They help us support people by using their lived experience and empathy.
As part of a national organisation we deliver a professional standard of training in mental health awareness and a full induction to the charity to ensure we support you in your role.
We also offer regular contact and support from our volunteer team to ensure you have a great experience with us. We offer the opportunity to gain experience, improve your life skills and develop ideas.
What we require...
In return for our investment in you and your training, we ask for at least 6 months commitment to our cause.
We require open and reliable communication at all times and respect be given to anyone connected to Dorset Mind- including Staff, Volunteers, Participants and the wider community.
Above all, we’re looking for friendly, honest, considerate and approachable people that are committed to supporting our aims and mission.
Why not volunteer for your CSR?
Do you or your employees have time to volunteer for charity? This could benefit your Corporate Social Responsibility obligations and help support us.
It will gives you and your employees an enormous sense of purpose as you get to know us a bit better by working alongside us. For enquires, please get in touch.
Do your University Placement with us
We invest in all our volunteers with several types of mental health training, inductions and lots of opportunities to learn across the company. Volunteer 30 weeks with us and contribute to helping people in Dorset live positively with their mental health. Contact us and select ‘Volunteering’ before sharing your info.
PLEASE NOTE – we are not currently taking University Placements.
