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Peckham Befrienders is a Black & Minority Ethnic, (BME) Service that supports BME people (aged 18 – 65 years) living with or who have had a mental illness and reside in Southwark.

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) provides services to patients within different Clinical Academic Groups (CAGs). The Psychosis CAG brings people together who are experts in their field. Peckham Befrienders sits within the Psychosis CAG.

The role is to befriend BME service users at the Peckham Befrienders drop in service. Your first line of support and accountability in the service will be the BME services manager. You can also access support from the BME volunteer coordinator and in your group supervision.

Role description:

•To act as a befriender to support BME service users (this will not include advocacy or counselling).
•Create a welcoming environment where service users feel supported.
•Support the delivery of the twice-weekly drop-in sessions.
•Interact with service users using a range of other activities, which include assisting with setting the community group (e.g. putting chairs and tables away).
•Other duties (e.g. assisting with light washing up duties).
•Work within the established procedures to ensure safety of staff and users.

•N.B. the above list is not exhaustive as you may be asked to do additional tasks; however, the primary role of a volunteer is the befriending role that sits within the guidelines of befriending.