Community Support Services - Befriending and Mentoring

What is the North Staffs Mind Befriending/Mentoring Service?

The North Staffs Mind Befriending/Mentoring Service provides one-to-one social support for people with mental health problems.

You will be matched to a volunteer by the Befriending/Mentoring Worker and this will a volunteer of the same gender.

The activities are negotiated between yourself and the volunteer but typical activities include:-

• Meeting for a coffee
• Going for walks
• Going to the cinema

The Befriending relationship will initially last for six months. If at the end of this period you feel that you need further support, we can extend the period to a maximum of 12 months.

At the end of 12 months, the Befriending relationship comes to an end. In some cases these relationships become normal friendships, however Mind are no longer involved after the 12 month period.

The Befriending/Mentoring Worker will monitor the relationship by way of regular reviews. This is just to ensure that both yourself and the volunteer are happy within the relationship.

What the North Staffs Mind Befriending Mentoring Service is not...

The North Staffs Mind Befriending/Mentoring service is not about providing care in the home (i.e. helping with cooking or shopping etc). It is about providing social support.

Who is the service available to?

The North Staffs Mind Befriending/Mentoring Service is available to anyone with enduring or current mental health needs resident in Stoke-on-Trent or Newcastle-under-Lyme.

We accept clients between the ages of 18 and 65.

Referrals can be made by way of your Care Coordinator or if you are not under a Care Plan, you can refer yourself.

Clients under a Care Coordination plan are given priority

How long is the waiting list?

It is hard to say how long you will have to wait for a volunteer as we try to match clients and volunteers depending on their interests and personalities.

Some clients might wait only a matter of weeks and some may wait for up to a year. But we will do our best to match you with who we think the most appropriate volunteer is as quickly as possible.

About our volunteers...

All of our volunteers attend a one-day induction training course which goes into more detail about the North Staffs Mind Befriending/Mentoring Service and what their role will involve.

We ask that the volunteers commit a minimum of 2 hours per week over the period of the befriending/mentoring relationship.

All of our volunteers are CRB checked and we request two references for them, before they are allowed to work with our clients.

Who funds the service?

We receive funding from both Stoke on Trent City Council and Staffordshire County Council.

How many relationships are funded?

We are currently contracted to deliver 20 befriending/mentoring relationships each year.

What if I have a complaint about the service?

North Staffs Mind has a complaints procedure which you can ask to see. We will seek to deal efficiently and speedily with any complaint and try to find some resolution which offers you what you need.

Interested?

If you think you would benefit from having a Befriender/Mentor then please contact Jo Robinson at the Mind offices on (01782) 262100 or visit our contact page to get in touch

Other Agencies

Other agencies that may be of use include:-

Age Concern North Staffordshire Befriending and Mentoring Service

Is available to people over the age of 65 living in the areas of Biddulph, Brown Edge, Horton, Rushton and Heaton.

If you would like further information call 01782 511774.

PhoneLink

This is a free telephone befriending service for anyone over 60 or with resctricted mobility.

For further details ring 01782 265651.

Befriending/Mentor Role

Whilst previous experience of the role is not essential, as full induction and training will be provided, we are looking for individuals with the following skills and aptitude, approach and personal qualities:

• Reliability
• Good communication skills with a range of people
• Ability to relate to individuals with mental health issues
• Good listening skills
• Ability to share experiences
• Ability to enthuse and motivate people
• Positive outlook
• Flexibility
• Patience
• Non-judgmental
• Willing to learn
• Interest in mental health issues
• Ability to share skills, interests or activities with people

Community Support Services - Social Support Groups

Mondays 1-4pm
Higherland Church, Keele Road, Newcastle get a map

Tuesdays 6-9pm
The Observatory, Bucknall Old Road, Hanley get a map get a map

Thursday 1-4pm
Methodist Church, Merrial Street, Newcastle get a map

Fridays 10am-12pm
Central Hall, Longton get a map

Fridays 1-4pm
Holistic Therapies "Happy MANdays" (Men only)
The Observatory, Bucknall Old Road, Hanley get a map

Sundays 2-4pm
Baptist Church, London Road, Newcastle get a map

A broad range of activities are available at our social support groups including Art, Music and Singing, Pool Tournaments, Keep-Fit, Board Games and Quizzes