Overview:

As the name ‘DOST’ – Hindi for friend – suggests, the project is here to provide friendly support and signposting to clinical and non-clinical pathways. The aim is to reduce health and wellbeing inequalities for communities that have been disproportionately affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

We are currently recruiting and providing full training for individuals looking to make a difference by becoming a DOST Volunteer, supporting Black and Asian Minority Ethnic communities across our region. Due to the nature of the programme, priority will be given to volunteers who are of a BAME background.

Working in partnership with NESTAC a new cohort of volunteers will receive the training and support to help improve BAME communities gain a better understanding of health and wellbeing services that will ensure we not just survive but thrive. In this first cohort, we have opportunity for 12 volunteers to receive this training.

Qualities and skills required:

• To be reliable and have a genuine interest in the desire to make a difference in the lives of people
• Good communication skills
• Patience and a warm and friendly attitude

Desirable:

• Experience supporting BAME communities and a second language would be helpful.

Responsibilities:

• Use outboard calling line (via smart phone app) and enable a positive and supportive conversation with a matched individual
• To give the person some company and/or enable them to get out and about or pursue a leisure interest
• To complete a feedback form after each contact and to participate in regular supervision with the programme coordinator
• To liaise, at times, with organisation name staff or other agencies as appropriate
• To uphold organisation name core principles, vision, culture and values and abide by the policies and procedures as per the volunteer handbook

Mental Health Peer Mentor Training Overview:

All volunteers must complete NESTAC training towards becoming a Mental Wellbeing Peer Mentor. This course involves a mix of study sessions, skills development and supervised practice. Virtual training will take place every Tuesday and Thursday between 4pm and 6pm; start date still to be confirmed. For details of each week in detail, please see the below download.

To express your interest in this programme, please click here.

Additional Information:

Please email any questions to dost@heysmilefoundation.org

As part of the national Befriending Network we will provide all our volunteers additional development support to continue making a lasting difference to lives within our communities. For further information regarding the Network and need for this project please click here.