Title: Connected Minds Volunteer

Responsible to: Waiting Well Project Manager

Time commitment requested: A minimum of 3 hours per week

Location: Various locations across Dorset, primarily Bridport

DBS check: Enhanced DBS certificate required for this role (can be provided by Dorset Mind)

Qualifications: Experience supporting children and young people with mental health difficulties.

 

Connected Minds is an eight-week early intervention programme for 10–13-year-olds (years 6-8) experiencing mild to moderate anxiety and emotional problems and low attendance at school.

We empower young people to look after their own mental health and wellbeing by giving them the information and tools required to do so. We encourage young people to explore their reasons for not wanting to attend school and develop a toolkit to address these issues going forward.

We are looking for someone who is experienced in working with young people and is passionate about mental health and wellbeing. The role is community based across various locations in Dorset and will involve facilitation of groups, liaising with schools and managing a caseload of young people.

The Connected Minds programme is funded by our Waiting Well project which aims to help young people improve their school attendance whilst maintaining their mental health and wellbeing.

Main scope of role:

• Work within the Dorset Mind team to provide a high-quality check-in service which is responsive, ethical, safe and effective for all participants.
• Work in a friendly and sympathetic manner with young people whilst maintaining professional boundaries.
• Appropriately use different emotional support tools, depending on the needs of individual participant.
• Continuously work towards and support the development of best practice in emotional support and intervention.
• Provide an appropriate service to clients with varying presenting issues within the relevant service levels (mild to moderate mental health issues and risk levels)
• Regularly and collaboratively review goals set with the participant, monitoring their progression and effectiveness to achieve the desired outcomes.
• Maintain confidential, up-to-date and accurate records of all check-in sessions, ensuring that service activity and session attendance is recorded and inputted using the appropriate systems.
• Facilitate the contribution of participant feedback, satisfaction surveys and case studies about all aspects of the service.
• To represent Dorset Mind in a non-stigmatising, professional and appropriate way which is consistent with the Dorset Mind’s Vision and Mission statement and its Policies and Procedures.
• Liaise with referrers, other professionals and agencies as appropriate including reporting all safeguarding concerns in accordance with Dorset Mind’s Policies and procedures.
• Raise any safeguarding concerns to your line manager or Deputy Designated Safeguarding leads (DDSL’s) following the Dorset Mind Safeguarding policy and procedure.

What you can expect of us:

• Dorset Mind training including Induction, Mental Health Awareness, Safeguarding
• Wellbeing check-in service training
• Ongoing support and supervision from a knowledgeable and supportive team.
• The majority of our work is delivered by volunteers, so we know how important it is to treat our volunteers well, value them and have fun along the way.

Events Volunteer

Bournemouth, Dorset

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

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