Help Promote Dignity and Empowerment Through Clothing and Care

About the Role:

Are you passionate about style, organisation, and making a difference in the lives of others? Hunter New England Mental Health Volunteer Service is seeking enthusiastic volunteers to help restart our clothing pool at the Mater Mental Health Centre in Waratah. This initiative supports our vulnerable consumers by providing access to clothing and essentials, ensuring they feel dignified and empowered during their stay.

Key Tasks:

• Coordinate Donations: Proactively source and manage donations of new and good-condition second-hand clothing.
• Sort and Process: Organise donations, assess items for suitability, and ensure they meet our guidelines.
• Storage Management: Oversee the organisation and maintenance of storage spaces, keeping them tidy and well-stocked.
• Pop-Up Wardrobes & Style Support: Organise and host a pop-up wardrobe and style support service allowing consumers to select their own clothing.

Skills and Experience Required:

We are seeking volunteers who have empathy, a non-judgemental attitude towards mental health challenges, and who share our CORE values of Collaboration, Openness, Respect and Empowerment.

Volunteers include people who want to make a positive difference to the lives of consumers, carers, staff and the broader service. We welcome volunteers from all life stages, backgrounds and value diversity within our service.

For this role, we are looking for volunteers who have:

• Organisational Skills: Ability to manage and organise donations efficiently.
• Independence: Able to work independently and take initiative.
• Calm Demeanour: Relate calmly to people experiencing mental health challenges. -** Friendly and approachable**: Excellent interpersonal skills, with a friendly and welcoming presence.
• Interest in Style: Preferably have an interest in style and supporting consumers in selecting clothing/outfits.

Shifts Available:

Monday to Friday - flexible during business hours.

More about Hunter New England Mental Health

Hunter New England Mental Health is part of the Hunter New England Health District. We deliver a range of mental health inpatient services and community mental health care, from prevention and early intervention to treatment, rehabilitation and continuing care.

The HNE Mental Health Volunteer Service was established in around 2001. Volunteers are involved with HNE Mental Health in many different roles across the District.

Why volunteer with us?

• Help us build a strong and resilient community - healthy people, now and into the future
• Invest your time with meaning and purpose and improve your wellbeing
• Become part of an essential and valuable asset to NSW public health
• Improve your perception of mental health challenges and help break down stigma
• Develop your communication skills and confidence
• Gain experience in a mental health service, including networking with professional staff
• Obtain a reference after a qualifying period

Other things you need to know…

It is important you’re aware of the NSW Health mandatory requirements for volunteers. Prior to commencing with us as a volunteer, you will need to:

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Undergo a National Police Check and for some roles, a Working with Children Check.
• Comply with NSW Health vaccination and health screening requirements.
• Agree to the NSW Health Code of Conduct.
• Complete mandatory orientation and training.
• Agree to comply with NSW Health policies and procedures.

We will help you meet these requirements and complete the paperwork.

Once your application has been received, we will contact you to organise a "meet and greet" in which we can discuss roles and assess your suitability for volunteering in HNE Mental Health.

There will be no financial cost to you when undertaking any of these checks or training.