What is HeadsUp?

HeadsUp is partnership of 5 charities offering specialist mental health services to young people aged 11-25 across Harrow who face additional barriers to support.

HeadsUp is provided by Mind in Harrow, Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust, Centre for ADHD and Autism Support, Paiwand and The WISH Centre.

Our Youth Outreach Volunteers help us to deliver workshops in schools, colleges and other young peoples’ services to raise awareness of mental health and share coping strategies.

Can I be a HeadsUp volunteer?

You can volunteer with HeadsUp if you are:

• aged 18-30
• have personal experience of emotional or mental health difficulties
• available to help deliver workshops around Harrow in the daytime and/or evening
• willing to learn from your own and others’ experiences
• interested in raising awareness around mental health and how young people can access support
• able to work as part of a team
• organised, reliable and have good time-keeping skills

If we are oversubscribed, we prioritise Harrow residents.

What will volunteering involve?

The main role of HeadsUp volunteers is to help deliver workshops in schools. This involves sharing your personal story so that the young people we reach can better understand mental health and that it’s something that can affect us all.

You will be supported by the Volunteer Trainer, Katherine, to get to a place where you feel comfortable sharing, in your own time.

There are also lots of opportunities for volunteers to be involved in HeadsUp throughout the year, from taking part in making videos to joining in our annual mental health conference. We value all our volunteers’ skills and they each contribute to the programme in unique ways!

Volunteering can take you around Harrow, in person and online, delivering workshops in the daytime and some evenings.

What will I gain from volunteering?

• Join a supportive group of volunteers in Harrow
• Build your confidence and self-esteem – volunteering can be great for your mental health!
• Develop valuable skills for work including public speaking and communication, teamwork, learning, planning and organising
• Gain experience educating, working with young people and providing mental health support

What training will I receive?

To volunteer you will be asked to attend 4 training sessions which help you to:

• understand and talk about mental health, including how young people can notice changes in their own and others’ mental health and ways to look after their mental health
• learn and practice how to deliver HeadsUp workshops
• apply techniques for effective teaching and learning
• describe your own experience with mental health

You will also be required to undertake training on safeguarding and volunteering at Mind in Harrow.

The next training will take place at start of 2023, dates TBC.

How do I get involved?

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact the HeadsUp Volunteer Trainer, Katherine Saminaden by:

Email: k.saminaden@mindinharrow.org.uk

Phone: 07598 580 214

Submitting your interest does not commit you to volunteering. We will follow up with a phone or video call to ensure it is the right option for you.