Advice and Information Volunteer

At Rethink Mental Illness, we believe everyone deserves understanding, connection, and the chance to live a fulfilling life. Our volunteers play a vital role in supporting people affected by mental illness and helping create communities where no one feels alone.

About the role

As an Advice and Information Volunteer, you will support our Advice and Information Service by providing guidance and information to people affected by mental illness. You will respond to client queries via webchat, helping them to understand their rights, access support, and feel empowered to move forward with their situation.

You will also research relevant information, log client details accurately, and liaise with the Volunteer and Community Engagement Lead and wider team to ensure clients receive clear, reliable, and compassionate support.

Ideally, you will be able to make a minimum commitment of 4 hours per week for a minimum of 9 months.

Full training and regular supervision will be provided, so you’ll feel confident and supported in your role.

This role requires a basic DBS check, which will be arranged and paid for by Rethink Mental Illness.

As an Advice and Information Volunteer, you will:

• Use our webchat function to directly respond to client queries
• Research suitable information to empower clients to move forwards with their situation 
• Volunteer alongside the Volunteer and Community Engagement Lead and wider team to support clients 
• Log client information onto our database system 

About the service

Our Advice and Information Service provides practical advice and information to people affected by mental illness. We respond to queries by phone, email, webchat, and post from individuals, families, carers, employers, and professionals. 

Our team is also responsible for creating and updating the advice pages on the Rethink Mental Illness website, ensuring that people across the UK can access clear, up-to-date information about mental health conditions, rights, and support. 

What will make you a great fit for this role?

• Access to your own computer and the internet 
• Ability to use the internet to search for specific information 
• Ability to use Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Teams 
• Ability to type quickly and competently 
• Ability to communicate with people from different backgrounds 
• Ability to empathise and respond sensitively to others 
• Passion for supporting people with mental illness and those affected 
• Commitment, honesty, and reliability 

It's not essential, but you may also bring:

• Experience of supporting mental health issues, either your own or someone else’s 
• Knowledge of laws affecting people with mental illness (e.g. the Care Act, Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Equality Act) 
• Experience providing advice and information 
• Experience writing in plain English 
• Experience entering information into a database 

How to apply

To apply, please click the “apply now” button and complete a short interest form. You will have the opportunity to upload a CV and/or cover letter however, this is not mandatory.

A member of the team will review your application and be in touch to update you on the next steps. If your application is successful, you will be invited to take part in an informal volunteer discussion.

If you have any questions about the role or would like to find out more before applying, please contact the volunteer manager:

Nicola Henderson – nic.henderson@rethink.org

Who are we?

We’re Rethink Mental Illness, a leading charity provider of mental health services in England. We support thousands of people through our groups, services, policy, campaigns and advice and information. Our work supports us in delivering on our mission: “A better life for everyone severely affected by mental illness.”    

It is an exciting time to join our growing charity. We are on a transformation journey, one that supports the delivery of the organisation strategy – delivering Communities that Care. Supporting employees, managers and leaders through this change is a key priority for the People function. Just like its key that we attract diverse people to come and work for us.    

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion  

Diversity is important to us and we appreciate difference through difference, inclusiveness and belonging. It gives us a deeper understanding of the world, our society and the diverse communities we’re working with. By including everyone, we are able to draw on the unique experiences and expertise of our people to help shape and enrich our workplace and improve our services. One way we are doing is through our valued staff networks which play a critical and highly valued role in keeping us focused on creating a diverse, inclusive and engaged employer.  We recognise and support staff networks for our Black, Asian and minority ethnic and our LGBTQIA+ colleagues. We are also proud to have been awarded Disability Confident Employer status and are a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter.  

Becoming a truly anti-racist organisation  

We have an ambition of become a truly anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider - and in our efforts to influence policy and wider societal factors impacting on mental health set out in our anti-racist statement . We have designed a multi-year anti-racist programme of work contained in our Race Equality Action Plan which demonstrate our intention to hold ourselves accountable and be judged on our progress on becoming a truly anti-racist organisation.