A Suffolk-based mental health charity is calling out for more volunteers to help support positive wellbeing throughout the county.

Suffolk Mind works tirelessly to support people with understanding mental health and staying in the 'wellbeing' part of the mental health continuum. 

The charity relies on donations and grants to provide its vital support, as well as the generosity of volunteers who play a key role in their services. 

Jon Neal

CEO of Suffolk Mind, Jon Neal, said: "Our volunteers truly provide a magnificent contribution to Suffolk Mind and the people we support. 

"Their selflessness allows us to reach more people in our communities and provide services which truly benefit them – from counselling to community groups.

"To reach our goal of making Suffolk the best place in the world for talking about and taking care of mental health, we need more support. If anyone is interested in volunteering for Suffolk Mind, learning new skills and making a difference, please get in touch."

In 2022, volunteers donated 3,800 hours to Suffolk Mind, meanwhile volunteer counsellors donated 4,200 hours. Current volunteer vacancies include research assistance, school volunteer, events, support group assistance and more. 

Suffolk Mind is also looking for volunteers to join their gardening and allotment community service, GreenCare. Claire Stone is the charity's GreenCare and Ecotherapy Manager, who began volunteering for Suffolk Mind in 2019. 

She said: "I've always had a love of gardening and after a long career in the energy industry, I wanted to do something to make a difference in my local community. A wonderful report on Gardeners' World highlighted the impact of community gardening groups and the positive link to mental health, so when the opportunity to join GreenCare was advertised, I jumped at it. 

"Gardening has always benefitted my mental health, and it's brilliant to see the group experience that too. It helps meet our need for community, movement and achievement – there's nothing quite like looking back at the end of the day on all you've accomplished together.

"Volunteering for Suffolk Mind has been such a rewarding experience for me. I have been able to watch people grow and I take great pride in being part of that. Whether it's within GreenCare or another service within the charity, I strongly encourage people to volunteer for Suffolk Mind."

To find out more about Suffolk Mind and the volunteering opportunities available, please visit www.suffolkmind.org.uk