Volunteering

Active Minds Group Facilitators

We are currently recruiting for Active Minds group facilitators. Anyone with qualifications in Yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates, Keep Fit, Run Leaders, or any other fun, movement-based activity is more than welcome to get in touch.

Active Minds Volunteers

Buddies

We are also recruiting for Buddies who attend the activities alongside the members, playing a game of table tennis, or badminton, or just chatting with them on a bench at the allotment. These valuable interactions can help to boost our members confidence and help them to feel at ease when attending.

Anyone interested in the above roles are more than welcome to apply using the application form below.

Active Minds Volunteer Application Form

Reporting to:          Active Minds Manager

Location:                 Orchard House, 15a Purley Road, South Croydon, CR2 6EZ (South Croydon Allotment)

Background:

Active Minds has run a popular allotment group to improve people’s wellbeing for over 15 years. The group is open to any adults in Croydon who experience poor mental health. Some want to learn how to garden, some simply want to enjoy nature and the beautiful, peaceful surroundings.

Purpose of the Role

The Allotment Lead would use their horticultural knowledge to maintain the plot, the mature trees and plants that are grown there. There is also an opportunity to take part in our weekly peer support group with clients, sharing your gardening skills and helping to sow seeds, co-design the space and support them to gain confidence in gardening (A staff member would be present alongside you for this).

Main Duties

• Attending the allotment plot at least twice a week to keep on top of weeding and watering.
• Coming up with solutions to any issues that arise with the maintenance of the space.
• Maintaining woodwork with oil.
• Pruning fruit trees when necessary.
• Weeding beds
• Maintaining the path
• Strimming the surrounding verges.
• Planting
• Keeping tools and shed tidy
• Maintaining the compost system.
• Sowing seeds and repotting
• Assisting with knowledge sharing at the weekly group (optional)

Personal Specification

 Essential

• Horticultural knowledge, whether professionally or as a hobbyist.
• Enthusiasm for gardening, nature, growing food or outdoor activities
• Willing to work outdoors in a range of weather conditions
• Willing to follow health and safety guidance
• Physically able to handle light and moderate gardening tasks
• Takes pride in maintaining a safe and welcoming environment
• Reliable, organised and able to commit to at least 3 months of volunteering.
• Willing to undertake induction and relevant training.

If wanting to volunteer on the weekly group:

• A willingness to undertake additional training in mental health
• Willing to apply for an enhanced DBS check (we organise this)
• Patient and supportive of others
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff and volunteers.
• Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Passionate about the benefits of nature and gardening for health and wellbeing
• Good communication and listening skills

Desirable:

• Knowledge of growing fruit, vegetables or flowers.
• Previous allotment experience
• Basic DIY skills

If wanting to volunteer on the weekly group:

• Previous experience working with people from a range of backgrounds
• Experience supporting people with mental health challenges.
• Interest in sustainability, conservation or healthy eating.
• Ability to encourage participation in small groups
• Mental Health First Aid training

For more information or to express your interest please contact Active Minds on activeminds@mindincroydon.org.uk

CHWS Benefit Form Filling Volunteer

Hours:                 4 hours per week, Monday – Saturday

Location:             Croydon Health and Wellbeing Space – Whitgift Centre, Croydon (and other locations that may be used in the future)

As part of the Croydon Health and Wellbeing Space we are recruiting for volunteers who understand the benefits and housing process to support clients with form filling in order to apply to the services that meet their needs and requirements.

You’ll need to be able to establish good relationships with people from different backgrounds and have some understanding of mental health and local benefits and legislation procedures.

We’ll support and train you as one of our volunteers, which could be the first step of a new career in mental health.

To apply please send your CV and a short Covering Letter to rachel@mindincroydon.org.uk explaining:

• Why would you like to apply for this role?
• How your skills and experience relate to the competencies in the Person Specification of the role description?
• What benefits you can bring to the role?

At Mind in Croydon we value diversity and we’re committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone is able to be themselves and to reach their full potential. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures.

Counsellor Trainee Placements

Counselling placements at Mind in Croydon provide invaluable opportunities for trainee counsellors to develop their skills and learn how to integrate theory into practice; enabling them to qualify on their courses, and gain enhanced clinical experience as a therapist.

At Mind in Croydon, we invest in training and mentoring to support your growth. Our dedicated clinical teams and qualified supervisors help you to develop your skills as you work with a wide range of clients suffering depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. All our placement therapists work weekly with a caseload of three clients that fully supports your clinical hours required towards accreditation. All placements are currently held face-to-face at our office in Purley.

We take registered student counsellors, psychotherapists, counselling psychologists and those working towards qualifying and accreditation with BACP, UKCP or BPS.

To apply for a placement you must:

• Be a trainee counsellor, student counsellor, psychotherapist or counselling psychologist in the SECOND YEAR of your study either on
  a diploma/Degree/Masters/PhD course.
• Ideally you must already have some client hours and experience of clinical supervision.
• Be able to dedicate time for seeing 3 clients a week and supervision every 2 weeks.
• have a letter from your tutor or college to say you are ready for clinical work on a voluntary placement at Mind in Croydon.
• Be in personal therapy and will continue therapy throughout your placement with Mind in Croydon

For more information or to apply contact us on 020 8763 2064 or counselling@mindincroydon.org.uk

Counsellor Application Form

Are you passionate about promoting wellbeing and making a difference in your community. Do you believe in the power of movement, mindfulness, and community? Mind in Croydon is seeking a compassionate volunteer to lead gentle exercise sessions for unpaid carers – giving them a well-earned hour of self-care and relaxation.

• Commitment: 1 hour per week – or more if available
• Location: Fairfield House, 10 Altyre Road, East Croydon, CR0 5LA
• Purpose: To offer unpaid carers a chance to unwind, recharge, and connect through light physical activity
• Activities may include: Low impact movement to music, chair-based stretches, mindful breathing exercises.

About You

• We are looking for a volunteer experienced in mindfulness and leading groups in exercise to music.
• Friendly and encouraging, with a heart and  passion to help others.
• Warm, patient, and enthusiastic, able to support a diverse age range and different physical abilities.
• An enhanced DBS will be required.
• Level 2 Certificate in Fitness instructing

Unpaid carers often give so much of themselves. This is a chance to give something to them.

To apply or learn more, please contact:

Carers Support Worker

Email: carers.support@mindincroydon.org.uk

Tel: 020 8688 1210 option 1

CLOSING DATE: 28th November 2025