Volunteer role:
Virtual group facilitator (ongoing recruitment)
Current lived experience of struggling with self-harm is required*
Volunteers can be based anywhere in the UK
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Why do we need more virtual group facilitators? Our virtual group facilitator teams are made up of 3 people. Everybody in the facilitator team takes turns leading the group. At the moment, some volunteers' circumstances have changed and we have some gaps in existing teams. We also respond to demand and set up more groups to ensure everybody who needs to access them, can. |
What are we looking for? We are hoping to find people (18+) who have already used our groups or other Battle Scars services and feel able to share the lead with their team members. People who have not used our services are welcome to apply, they will need to attend groups as part of their training. Applicants must be confident and/or willing to lead the groups once they've completed training. Younger men (aged between 18 and 35), members of the LGBT+ community and people from culturally diverse communities are especially encouraged to apply. There is a full application and selection process - please be aware, not everyone who wishes to volunteer with us is recruited. |
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What commitment are we asking for? We're asking for approximately 2 hours every 2 weeks (unless doing emergency cover - see When? box. Each group runs every 2 weeks and lasts an hour. There is a bit of prep work and the team link up a bit early and discuss the group after. We also hold a group facilitator team meeting every 3 months on a Saturday afternoon (1-2 hours). |
When? We run both daytime and evening groups. Even though we have an excellent volunteer retention rate (most volunteers work with us for years), people do move on leaving gaps in existing teams. We ask applicants to clearly state in their applications when they're free - sometimes we cannot accommodate their availability. We have topic groups and What-Bothers-Me groups where service users bring their own issues to the group - facilitators for this group do not need to lead topics but discussion can be intense at times. |
How do the volunteers benefit and what support do they get?
We value our volunteers and ensure they feel part of the team. By volunteering with us, volunteers build on existing skills or develop new ones, they take advantage of their lived experience to help others and get a sense of purpose. We provide role specific training as well as opportunities for further training (both internal via our extensive workforce development programme and outsourced). Ongoing support is provided by the volunteer manager, volunteer leader, facilitator team and other staff.
We value our volunteers and ensure they feel part of the team. By volunteering with us, volunteers build on existing skills or develop new ones, they take advantage of their lived experience to help others and get a sense of purpose. We provide role specific training as well as opportunities for further training (both internal via our extensive workforce development programme and outsourced). Ongoing support is provided by the volunteer manager, volunteer leader, facilitator team and other staff.
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What training do we provide? Some training is compulsory for this role but we also offer optional extra training (e.g. autism awareness, understanding personality disorders, etc.) Compulsory - all training is virtual (Zoom) and takes place on Saturday afternoons: Group facilitation Safeguarding Equality, Diversity & Inclusion We train as and when we have enough new volunteers to run the course. |
Does this role require a DBS check? No, this role doesn't require a DBS check but some of our other roles do, so if you apply for multiple ones, a DBS check will be requested at our cost. |
*Current lived experience means that you actively self-harm or that you are struggling with self-harm urges.
If you would like to apply, please select the application form below. If you'd like more information, please contact the volunteer manager.
If you would like to apply, please select the application form below. If you'd like more information, please contact the volunteer manager.
"The team at Battle Scars is kind, compassionate and flexible with regards to volunteers' circumstances" |
"I’m now a Battle Scars online support group facilitator. I’m so proud of myself for having the courage to reach out and join a group that first time. The groups have been so helpful as a supportive safe space to connect with people with similar experiences, and I wanted to be a part of providing that space for other people." |
