Mental Health Champions

Mental Health Champions

Posted for Ealing and Hounslow Community and Voluntary Service

Posted by Ealing & Hounslow Council for Voluntary Service

Register your interest

You will be redirected to the Ealing & Hounslow Council for Voluntary Service website to express your interest.

This new role with Ealing and Hounslow CVS is apart of the Deconstructing Mental Health Stigma in Acton 2026-2027 Project. It aims to improve awareness and understanding of mental health across the Acton community and seeks to create open, positive conversations about mental health, helping to reduce stigma, challenge misconceptions, and encourage people to talk confidently about their emotional wellbeing with family, friends, community members, and healthcare professionals.

Working closely with local communities, the project will raise awareness of common mental health concerns, promote positive wellbeing and healthy lifestyle choices, and encourage people to recognise when they or someone they know may need additional support. Through community engagement, outreach events, partnerships, and the support of trained Mental Health Champions, the project will empower local residents with knowledge and confidence to look after their mental wellbeing and access appropriate support and services.

• Mental Health Champions are community volunteers who play an important role in promoting positive mental health and wellbeing within the Acton community. They help create supportive conversations about mental health, share trusted information, challenge stigma, and signpost local people t relevant services, resources, and sources of support.
  Key Responsibilities:
  • Engage with members of the public through friendly, supportive conversations about mental health, emotional wellbeing, and self-care.
  • Support community events, awareness campaigns, information stalls, outreach activities, and promotional activities across Acton.
  • Reinforce positive mental health messages through conversations with local people and community outreach.
  • Raise awareness of common mental health concerns, the importance of looking after emotional wellbeing, and recognising when someone may benefit from additional support.
  • Promote healthy lifestyle choices and practical ways to support mental wellbeing, including physical activity, social connection, good sleep, and accessing support when needed.
  • Encourage people to seek appropriate professional help when they are concerned about their mental health or the wellbeing of someone they know.
  • Distribute health and wellbeing information and signpost people to local mental health services, community support, and other relevant sources of help.
  • Represent the project professionally, respectfully, and without judgement, ensuring information shared is accurate and evidence based.
  • Maintain appropriate boundaries and understand the role of a Mental Health Champion, including knowing when and how to signpost people to professional services.
  • Provide feedback from community engagement activities to help improve future campaigns and outreach.

What skills do I need?

• Friendly, approachable, and comfortable communicating with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Passionate about improving mental health and wellbeing and reducing stigma.
• Good listening, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Non-judgemental, empathetic, and respectful towards others.
• Reliable and able to work as part of a team.
• Able to maintain appropriate boundaries and confidentiality.
• Willing to undertake training and follow project guidance.
• Confident sharing information and signposting people to appropriate sources of support.

We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and communities. We particularly welcome people who are passionate about improving mental health and wellbeing and reducing stigma within the community.

People who speak different languages are especially encouraged to volunteer, as being able to communicate with residents in their preferred language can help us reach more people and make mental health information more accessible to Acton's diverse communities.

No previous experience of working in mental health is required. Full training and guidance will be provided.