Volunteer Buddy

Volunteer Buddy

Location: London

Volunteer

Please note: The salary listed reflects the full earning potential for this role. Starting salaries depend on experience and progression within the band.

About Waythrough

Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together, we’ve created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England.

Every year, we support around 125,000 people through nearly 200 services – and it’s all made possible by our 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers.

Make a real difference in your community

Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier, more independent lives? Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health, substance use, housing or domestic abuse. This is more than just a job – it’s a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change.

Details of the role:

• Offering peer support through being ‘buddied’ with one or two people at any one time. For example by:
• Providing one-to-one support for people facing multiple disadvantage, to better understand own needs and the community support services available to them.
• Supporting to re-integrate into the community, for example by helping to research and access activities
• Accompanying to appointments or activities (following relevant policies and procedures)
• Speaking with people via the telephone check-in service
• Generally speaking positively about recovery with service users and supporting them
• Signposting to other activity / support the service and partners offer
• Liaising with staff and service users to gain feedback about the service which helps inform decisions and support
• Complying with Waythrough policies and procedures, including service and local Safeguarding Procedures, General Data Protection Requirements and Health & Safety

We would love you to bring to this role:

• Lived experience of disadvantage which may include both personal and/or as family and/or careers
• Knowledge and/or experience of using support services, including recovery support, support for family and carers
• Good self-awareness in relation to own recovery and emotional and psychological wellbeing
• Experience of providing one-to-one or peer support to people, either paid or voluntary
• Ability to work well with others, building relationships and listening to different points of view
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to empathise
• Willingness to learn new skills, knowledge, and practices.
• Basic IT skills – we can help you to build on these
• Willingness to attend and complete relevant training
• To take part in supervisions and reflective practice with supervisor

What volunteers can expect from us:

• Full training in line with the role description
• Regular supervision and support
• Induction and access to online and face to face training
• To feel part of a team and the wider Waythrough organisation
• Reasonable travel expenses reimbursed with proof of journey
• Opportunities to progress and experience other areas of Waythrough's work in the region

What We Offer

We value the people who make a difference every day. Alongside meaningful work, you’ll enjoy:

• Discounts from various schemes
• Training and personal development
• A chance to make a real difference in people’s lives
• Free induction and role-specific training
• Support from experienced staff and regular supervision
• Opportunities to meet new people and develop your confidence
• Reimbursement for travel and agreed expenses
• Valuable experience that can support your personal or career development

Inclusion and accessibility

Waythrough is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, especially those with lived experience of the issues we support.

If you need adjustments or support to apply, please email our recruitment team: recruitmentteam@waythrough.org.uk

How to apply

If you’re viewing this advert on an external platform such as Indeed, please click ‘Apply via company website’ to view the full job description and submit your application.

About Waythrough

Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together, we’ve created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England.

Every year, we support around 125,000 people through nearly 200 services – and it’s all made possible by our 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers.

Make a real difference in your community

Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier, more independent lives? Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health, substance use, housing or domestic abuse. This is more than just a job – it’s a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change.

What We Offer

We value the people who make a difference every day. Alongside meaningful work, you’ll enjoy:

• Discounts from various schemes

• Training and personal development

• A chance to make a real difference in people’s lives

• Free induction and role-specific training

• Support from experienced staff and regular supervision

• Opportunities to meet new people and develop your confidence

• Reimbursement for travel and agreed expenses

• Valuable experience that can support your personal or career development

Inclusion and accessibility

Waythrough is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, especially those with lived experience of the issues we support.

We have signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme - all applicants are welcome, and adjustments can be made to enable fair participation.

If you need adjustments or support to apply, please email our recruitment team: recruitmentteam@waythrough.org.uk

How to apply

If you’re viewing this advert on an external platform such as Indeed, please click ‘Apply via company website’ to view the full job description and submit your application.

Please note that while this role has a stated closing date, we reserve the right to close the advert early should we receive a high number of applications.

Closing date: