Description
'Beyond Diagnosis' is driven by people with lived experience of bipolar. ‘Bipolar Scotland’ wants to ‘join up’ with people who would like to be part of our innovative, new project, as one of our Peer Support Volunteers. Our exciting and innovative new service means that people who have recently gone through a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, can now speak to a peer volunteer who has gone through a similar experience to them.
The volunteer will work remotely working alongside peer workers and other colleagues. Key duties are:
- provide complimentary practical and emotional support
- utilise their lived experience of living well with bipolar disorder, to inspire and empower those who use the service
- draw on their knowledge and skills to provide practical support in areas such as personal finance, budgeting, social inclusion, employability and education
- support individuals to achieve their goals, to create meaningful and sustainable connections with other sources of support within their communities
- instil a sense of hope for the future and what they can achieve.
So, if you are now living well with your bipolar disorder, and would like to spend a little time helping someone who has recently had a diagnosis, Bipolar Scotland would like to meet you.
Organisation aims and objectives
We are Scotland’s national charity for people living with bipolar. We have almost 30 years of experience of supporting those who live with bipolar. Our strategic priorities are: • To empower and support • To influence and campaign • To grow and improve We offer a number of self-help groups across Scotland and in Summer 2022 are launching a new peer support service for people newly diagnosed with bipolar.
Frequency and commitment details
Volunteering times are flexible on any day, either morning, afternoon and evenings, to mutually suit the volunteer and the person benefitting from peer support.
Restrictions
Experience required: Good listening skills. Able to hear what a peer is saying, and reflect back positively, using own experience of bipolar if necessary.
Minimum age: 18
Support
Training details: 1. Induction training including peer support; boundaries; duty of care and adult protection.
2. Ongoing - more in depth adult protection and peers support training.
3. Suicide awareness and prevention training.