Join our community of volunteers

At Healthy Minds, our volunteers are at the heart and soul of our mission. They're an extraordinary group of individuals who bring empathy, understanding, and a profound passion for mental health.

​What sets them apart? Their own personal experience of mental difficulties makes them experts - they really care and know what projects and services are needed most.  Our volunteers are a tremendous asset driving our work in Calderdale.

Contact: [email protected] for more information

Why Volunteer with Us?
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Our volunteers play a crucial role across every facet of our organisation, from group facilitation to administrative support, and even representing our forum. Their contributions are woven into the very fabric of Healthy Minds, and here's why:

Meaningful Roles: Every volunteer position is a meaningful opportunity to make a difference and change lives.

Rewarding Experiences: Our work is rooted in the founding principle of peer support, making each role deeply rewarding.

Genuine Co-Production: We collaborate with our volunteers to co-produce and co-deliver activities, projects, and services. It's a chance to develop real-life skills, boost confidence, and gain invaluable experience.

Support and Training: We provide comprehensive training to equip you for your role, ensuring you're fully prepared for the journey. You'll also receive supervision, covered expenses, and social opportunities within our vibrant community.

Volunteering Opportunities

Healthy Minds volunteers play a pivotal role in our mission to empower and uplift our community.

​You'll receive full training, supervision, and unwavering support in your journey with us. All volunteers require a DBS.

Please take a look at our current vacancies and email Cath (address below) to request an application form.
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• Drop-in / Sunday Social
• Allotment
• Befriending
• Healthy Minds Forum
• Time Out
• Suicide Prevention Network
• Roshani

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Drop In and Sunday Social Volunteers

Healthy Minds drop-ins are wonderful, warm and supportive spaces open to anyone who may have gone, or be going through, a difficult or distressing time. Walk through our doors and people will find a welcoming team of volunteers and participants who all understand - because they've been there themselves.

As a drop-in volunteer you should:

• Have personal experience of mental health difficulties - because we know you'll 'get' it.
• Be empathic and warm.
• Be a great natterer - but an even better listener.
• Be able to make a great cup of tea and slice of toast!

Does this sound like you? We have openings on Fridays and/or Sundays in Halifax or on Wednesdays in Todmorden.

​Please email Cath: [email protected] to express your interest and to request an application form.  

Pye Nest Allotment Volunteers

We do not have any vacancies currently; although there may be an opportunity for those with gardening/allotment expertise who would like to support in an advisory capacity.  Contact Cath via the channels below.

Telephone Befriending Volunteers

Are you a good listener?
Do you have your own experience of mental health difficulties?
Want to empower others to improve their wellbeing?

Volunteer Befrienders support people one-to-one over the phone, offering an open and non-judgmental space for those experiencing low mood to express their thoughts, feelings, and concerns.

We are looking for warm, empathic individuals with personal experience of mental health issues who enjoy chatting and listening to a range of people from our local communities. You should feel comfortable talking over the phone, especially around complex or challenging topics and be able to make calls of up to one hour at least once a week in a private space.

Full training, support and supervision will be given for this interesting and important role.
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Please note befriending calls need to be made during ordinary working hours Monday to Wednesday.

Please contact Cath on [email protected] for an application form.

Forum Facilitation Volunteers

The Healthy Minds Forum is a monthly group for people to advocate for better mental health in Calderdale.  It is a space to explore the issues that affect people’s mental health, and to identify ways we can take collective action to address these in our local community.

Forum volunteers work together as a team to empower forum participants to have a voice, take action and make changes on the issues that are important to them.  You can be involved in co-facilitating groups, creating strategies for the development and engagement of the forum, assist with record-keeping or minute-taking and supporting special events and meetings.

A forum volunteer should:

• Be confident speaking to people from all walks of life.
• Be passionate about empowering others to make changes for themselves and their communities.
• Be able to attend the forum most months alongside monthly team meetings.
• Be a great team-player.

In return you will:

• Get training, support and supervision.
• Be part of a dynamic, fun and passionate team.
• Be able to join in other volunteer activities and socials.
• Have a rewarding and uplifting experience.

Please feel free to attend the forum if you would like to get a taste for what this role might involve - details on our website and socials.  Alternatively, do get in touch with Cath via the contact details below or email for an application form.  We look forward to hearing from you!

Time Out: Our Young People's Project

We are looking for younger people (18-25ish) with a passionate interest in, and personal experience of, the mental health issues and stigma that affect our young people today.

Time Out volunteers can:

• Support our team to design and deliver mental health workshops in schools and other youth settings
• Break down stigma by sharing their own mental health journey with groups of children and young adults
• Assist with the delivery of wellbeing activities at our weekly 'drop-in'

This role is particularly suited to those who 'get' what having mental health issues during childhood feels like and should feel passionate about opening the door of support and understanding youngsters who may be struggling.

Please email Cath: [email protected] to express your interest and to request an application form.  An enhanced DBS is required for this role.

Suicide Prevention Network Volunteers
The Calderdale Suicide Prevention Network  was launched in June 2024 as a space for people to come together to have a role in suicide prevention locally in Calderdale.
The network is commissioned by Calderdale Cares Partnership to meet at least four times a year and is for anyone who cares about suicide prevention, including those who may be personally affected by suicide.
We are looking for volunteers who can help facilitate these meetings. You should have good organisational and admin skills, be able to communicate with people from all sections of our community, be passionate about this cause and be able to work as part of a team.
Please contact Cath at the email below for an application form.
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We are looking for women, especially speakers of Punjabi or Urdu, to volunteer with our Roshani Project. 

Roshani supports people from the BAME community with their mental health needs. We offer drop-ins and groups with a mixture of peer support, talking and listening, and activities such as mindfulness, arts and crafts and gardening (when spring returns!).

You should be comfortable tackling the stigma around mental health, supporting others to improve their wellbeing and have excellent listening skills.  You should have experience of mental health issues, either personally or because of caring for someone close to you.

Our groups run on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10-12pm at King Cross Fire Station.  Mondays are more activity based (with some talking) while Wednesdays take more of a talking, listening and support approach (with some activities).

Please email the Volunteer Manager if you would like an application form or need any more information.

Cath McNally
[email protected]
01422 345 154

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