Volunteer with Battle Scars

Battle Scars is a fast-growing charity operating across the UK. We rely on volunteers to deliver our services: dedicated, committed, inspiring people who give their time and put a lot of effort in helping others. 
We are a 100% survivor led and run organisation. This means that everyone within Battle Scars (staff, volunteers & trustees) have been affected by self-harm. We will continue operating in this way as it's vital in providing genuine peer support to our service users. 

"Volunteering with Battle Scars has given me a purpose and it's very rewarding"

"Battle scars is hugely important to me: a small organisation with a big heart. It's been amazing being back to f2f groups to see people and mix and share stories. Being a part of Battle Scars helps my mental health, helps my self-harm, also helps me understand and accept my self-harm. We have a great facilitator team, a great blend of ages experience. It's great to see people arrive so nervous, sometimes scared and feeling lost, but you see them lift, and relax over the 2-hour session. Put simply, myself and many others would be in a much darker, more lonely place without Battle Scars" 

PLEASE READ
To volunteer with Battle Scars lived experience of self-harm is essential. For some roles, this experience must be current, in others it can be current or past experience, or it could be having supported a close family member or friend who self-harms. Please check the role specific information by using the current vacancies buttons below. 

New opportunities as we become operational in our new premises in the Onward Mental Health Hub - see below.

​There is a full application and selection process - please be aware, not everyone who wishes to volunteer with us is recruited.

What volunteering roles are available?

We recruit as and when we need new volunteers for new or existing projects. You can see below what roles are currently available. Please select any you're interested in for more information. In some cases you can apply for multiple roles. 

How old do I need to be to volunteer?

At the moment you must be over 18 to volunteer with us due to the nature of our work but we're hoping to be able to recruit 16-18 year-olds for young people's services in the future. 

What will Battle Scars offer me as a volunteer?

We will treat you with respect. We will take your individual needs into consideration and offer you appropriate tasks with the right support. We will make sure you feel part of the Battle Scars team. We will provide you with training and opportunities to expand on your existing skills and to develop new ones. We will give you a purpose. We will offer you encouragement to reach your potential and increase your confidence. We will cover you out-of-pocket expenses (such as travel and meals). ​

I struggle a lot with my mental health. Can I volunteer?

The majority of our volunteers struggle with mental health issues. We actively recruit people who have mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, BPD/EUPD, PTSD, bipolar etc. ​

I am neurodiverse, can Battle Scars support me if I volunteer?

A large percentage of the Battle Scars workforce is neurodiverse. We work with all volunteers as individuals, make adjustments as necessary and provide them support to reach their potential. 

I have physical health issues. Can I volunteer?

We will take into account any health issues you have and make sure you are given appropriate tasks and the right support. ​

What do Battle Scars expect from their volunteers?

We expect our volunteers to bring their enthusiasm to further our aims, to operate within the Battle Scars ethos of acceptance and honest support, to ​represent Battle Scars, to be willing to learn and grow and to follow the Battle Scars policies and procedures. 
We expect a modern outlook in life with a good understanding of equality and diversity with the ability to respect all genders and backgrounds. ​

Are all applications successful?

All applicants interested in volunteering with us go through a selection process and not everybody will be recruited. Sometimes we don't have the right role or we decide it's not the right time for you to volunteer. Sometimes we're not the best of fits. The volunteer manager will explain this to you. 

Current vacancies:

“Being a Battle Scars volunteer has been really good as I get support from other volunteers, and being able to give back and support others has been really great. I started out using the Battle Scars groups for myself and I am now a facilitator; someone once said to me that it was really nice seeing someone go from being someone who uses the service to someone who now facilitates groups. I’ve learned how to plan and deliver topics, I’ve gained experienced in facilitating and gained confidence in running groups. There are also opportunities for me to work in other facilitating teams when groups need cover. I’ve been able to help with other things in Battle Scars too, like being a part of a social media focus group and attending trial runs of training so I can give feedback on the training that is being developed. I understand what people are going through and this helps me to be a good facilitator.” Chase

"With volunteering through Battle Scars, I have been able to turn what was a traumatic and tumultuous period of my life into a strength and a positive. I have never been judged and never felt pressured - only supported and encouraged. The fact that I have been able to use my experiences of poor mental health to help and understand others has been extremely rewarding and fulfilling. The confidence I have gained volunteering with Battle Scars has given me the courage to go back to education as a mature student and to gain part-time paid employment"