News Details
24 April 2008
CSV report - volunteering improves mental health
Befriending and mentoring volunteers feature in this report which highlights findings from research into schemes in London and Nottinghamshire
The report, Mental health, volunteering and social inclusion, draws on the findings of independent research studies into the following schemes to highlight how volunteering can help improve the health of people living with mental illness:
More links to befriending and mentoring research
- Capital Volunteering, a London based project helping mental health service users to reduce their dependence on hospital-based and crisis mental health services in the future, to develop skills and confidence, and to help them become more socially included.
Findings: this model has been effective in engaging black and minority ethnic service users (44% are from a BME background)
Aloyse Raptopoulos experiences bi-polar affective disorder and has been admitted to a psychiatric unit several times. She wanted to get a job that she found fulfilling and volunteered to help others in mental distress through befriending, supporting and escorting others which helped her return to paid work.
Aloyse says: "Volunteering contributes a great deal to satisfying my goals in life; it benefits my mental state and keeps me grounded. I have now started my own business as a self-employed trainer & consultant in mental health. Volunteering helps me cope. It anchors me, gives me breathing space, helps me keep the balance between my favourite hobby [music] and my work." - Nottinghamshire Healthcare Trust - at the time of the evaluation, a third of volunteers working within the Trust were themselves current or ex-mental health service users. Volunteers were contributing their time at 52 Trust sites, performing a wide range of important tasks including befriending, adult learning support, hairdressing or serving in a coffee bar.
Findings: 57% of service user volunteers reported improvements in their own mental health
More links to befriending and mentoring research
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