We are looking for volunteers to help us co-facilitate monthly Bipolar UK peer support group meetings in Birmingham for people living with a bipolar condition or the related condition, cyclothymia, and their family, friends and carers.

Volunteer with Bipolar UK

This is an opportunity to join a nationwide community of co-facilitators and volunteers.

Do you have a bipolar condition? Do you have caring responsibilities for someone with a bipolar condition? Or does someone in your family, or for whom you care or whom you support have a bipolar condition?

We are looking for volunteers to help us co-facilitate Bipolar UK peer support groups for people living with a bipolar condition or the related condition, cyclothymia, and their family, friends and carers in Birmingham.

You will lead a peer support group alongside at least one other trained co-facilitator.

Thanks to the incredible collaboration between our staff team and our volunteers we currently empower approximately 1,000 people a month to stay well, and we have the ambition to reach thousands more.

What does it involve?

Our Peer Support Groups are led by volunteer co-facilitators who have personal experience of bipolar either as someone living with a bipolar condition themselves (whether or not diagnosed) or as a family member, close friend or carer of someone living with a bipolar condition.

As an in-person co facilitator you will co-facilitate monthly in-person meetings in Birmingham. You will need to have personal experience of bipolar and excellent communication skills, including active listening.

As an online co-facilitator role you will co-facilitate regular online meetings on Zoom. You will need to have personal experience of bipolar and be IT literate with a basic understanding of Zoom - ie. know how to book in and schedule regular meetings.

Volunteer Benefits

You will receive full training, the opportunity to gain skills as a co-facilitator and group leader and gain a reference.

How to apply
• Download and complete our volunteer application form from our website: https://www.bipolaruk.org/become-a-volunteer 
• Send your completed application form by e mail to [email protected] 
•You can download the volunteer Co-facilitator role description here: https://www.bipolaruk.org/become-a-volunteer#our-volunteering-roles 

What we ask of volunteers

We ask that all volunteers commit to a minimum of two hours a week for at least six months wherever possible. We provide regular training as part of role development and progression.

Skills and experience

We look for people who:

• Communicate well
• Enjoy teamwork
• Are able to adapt and willing to learn
• See situations with objectivity and compassion

How our Volunteers support us

We couldn’t exist without the amazing support of our dedicated team of volunteers. We are looking for volunteers to help us establish and run much needed Bipolar UK peer support groups in Birmingham.

Our commitment to our Volunteers

We want you to get the most out of volunteering with us and we take our responsibility towards you very seriously. All our volunteers are given an induction and training before they begin volunteering so they can feel confident to carry out their tasks. This induction and training may take place in person or online in a group session. As part of this induction, volunteers will receive:

• the manual for their volunteering role if relevant
• copies of relevant Bipolar UK policies
• any other appropriate documents

Training is an ongoing commitment for both Bipolar UK staff and volunteers. Training sessions are usually held by the Bipolar UK team, although external training will be given whenever relevant and appropriate.