Make a difference in your student community

We're proud to be working with the Mental Health Foundation to bring the U-OK? Mental Health Ambassador programme to the Intercollegiate Halls for a second year. 

The programme is aimed at promoting mental wellbeing and fostering supportive networks among residents.

What?

As a Mental Health Ambassador, you will be trained and have the chance to facilitate peer-led workshops, shape content based on personal experiences, and empower fellow residents to share their stories in a safe and inclusive environment. After you're trained, the workshops that you'll deliver as a Mental Health Ambassador include:

• Introduction to mental health
• Health & wellbeing
• Social pressure
• Financial pressure
• Academic pressure
• Diversity and inclusion

Why?

This is not only a chance to enhance your skills in facilitation, communication, and advocacy but also an opportunity to share something valuable with others and make a real difference in their lives.

Being a Mental Health Ambassador will not only enrich your personal development but also enhance your CV. The skills and experiences gained through this role will stand out to future employers, showcasing your commitment to mental health advocacy and community engagement.

When? (training session)

Monday 21st October

10am to 1pm

Via Teams

Please note, you must be available to attend and actively participate in this training session. It will not be recorded, and it is not possible to be a Mental Health Ambassador if you have not completed the full training. 

Who?

No prior experience is required – just a passion for mental health and a desire to learn, advocate, and support your peers. If you're ready to take on this rewarding role and contribute to building a culture of mental wellbeing in our community, we encourage you to apply now!

Apply now!

The details

Key Responsibilities in the role:

• Working alongside another Mental Health Ambassadors to deliver U–OK? workshops to residents in your hall either face-to-face or online. 
• Over the period of this academic year, you'll be expected to deliver six pre-designed workshops (one of each of the six workshops).
• Facilitating engaging and informative workshops that are inclusive, respectful, and safe.
• Using your own experiences to shape workshop content.
• Empowering residents to safely share their own knowledge and experiences.
• Communicating with the project team at the Mental Health Foundation to share feedback and help shape future content.
• Being aware of our safeguarding procedure and notifying the UoL Student Health & Wellbeing team of any safety concerns that might arise during a workshop.  

Skills developed:

• Facilitation skills
• Public speaking and communication
• Collaborative working 
• Increased knowledge in topics relating to mental health and wellbeing

Volunteer benefits:

• Training by the Mental Health Foundation, the UK’s leading prevention-focused mental health charity and home of Mental Health Awareness Week.
• Ongoing support from the UoL Student Health & Wellbeing Team.
• Being part of an innovative approach to preventing mental health problems in student populations.

Person specification:

• A current resident of the Intercollegiate Halls.
• Willing to be a positive advocate for the project.
• A basic understanding of mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.
• An ability to demonstrate empathy, especially in relation to others’ lived experience that might differ from your own.