Bring warmth and creativity to the foyer of the Mater Mental Health Centre by joining our Connecting Through Craft initiative. Use your craft skills to connect with consumers, visitors, families, carers, and staff, humanising the space and providing a welcoming first point of contact.

Key Tasks

• Facilitate craft sessions to engage with consumers and visitors, creating an inviting and supportive atmosphere.
• Serve as a friendly and informative presence, offering directions and guidance within the facility.
• Raise awareness of various mental health-related events and days through creative displays and resources.
• Help manage and organise the craft table, ensuring it is well-stocked with materials and information.
• Engage in positive interactions, promoting a sense of community and understanding around mental health.

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 are:

• Creative and passionate about arts and crafts.
• Friendly with good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Able to relate calmly to people experiencing mental health challenges.
• Capable of providing clear directions and assistance within the facility.
• Comfortable working independently and taking initiative.
• Organised and able to manage craft materials and resources effectively.

Impact

Our Connecting Through Craft Volunteers enrich the experience of everyone entering the Mater Mental Health Centre by offering a welcoming presence, creative activities, and valuable information about mental health awareness. Your contributions will foster a sense of community, support, and understanding.

Shifts Available

Mondays to Wednesdays from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.

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 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.