Once you’ve read the descriptions of each role, complete the application form embedded (or here: https://tinyurl.com/VolunteerHappyMums)   tell us how you meet the essential and desirable criteria.

We are happy to provide documents in different formats and languages on request. Just contact us on info@happymums.org.uk or 01228 592301.

We are very keen to make Happy Mums more representative. As part of our recruitment policy, if you are from a disadvantaged, marginalised or minoritized group or community you will be guaranteed an interview. Please tell us on your application form.

Yes please. We will request the name and email address of two referees on the application form. They can be professional or personal, but must not be related to you.

The Inclusion Form is part of our recruitment process, and asks you to tell us about your age, ethnicity, gender, disability and other protected characteristics under the Equalities Act 2010. This is not used to select candidates for interview, but is kept separate and only used to assess the inclusiveness of our processes. 

We invite you to interview if your application has been successfully shortlisted. The interview will take place either in person or via Zoom. If there are any reasonable adjustments we can make to support you in this process please let us know.

From the point at which you submit your application form, if you are successful it will usually take around six months before you begin volunteering independently. In that time you will receive induction and role-specific training, as well as online safeguarding training, observations and mentoring.

We are looking for women who have experienced maternal mental health problems, either themselves or through caring for a close friend or family member. There is no requirement for you (or the person you cared for) to have had a formal diagnosis, and there is no limit on the type of illness or condition (for example – postnatal depression, postpartum psychosis or anxiety). If you have any questions about whether you are eligible to apply, please get in touch.

Our priority is everyone’s safety and wellbeing, but recent experience can be very powerful in peer support. We don’t have a set timescale, as we believe “recovery” means different things to different people. However, we approach this issue on a case-by-case basis and we will discuss it openly with you at interview.  

When we write to you to let you know you have been successful at interview we will also send some forms to be completed (eg. DBS check) and details of the online safeguarding training to be completed. We will then offer you a series of dates for your induction training, and you will be asked to select ones which are convenient for you. After your induction training, you will receive role-specific training which may be online or face-to-face depending on the role. Group Facilitators go on to observe support groups along side an experienced Facilitator until we all feel they are ready to run their own group

It sets out what you can expect from us and what we can expect from you. Examples include volunteering in a safe environment and respecting confidentiality. You will be asked to read and sign the agreement before you start volunteering.

We offer induction training which will be delivered in person or online. There are two sessions lasting three hours. This training covers: Happy Mum’s values, the organisation, principles of peer support, inclusion, common maternal mental health conditions, framework of support and development for volunteers, communications, how to share your experiences safely, safeguarding, risk assessment, your wellbeing, data and reporting. 

Following induction you will also receive role-specific training which will be online or in-person depending on your role.

You will also have opportunities to access external training when it is available.

You will be given a Happy Mums volunteer t-shirt to wear when you are volunteering with us. You will also be issued with an ID badge to help mums to identify you as part of the team. 

We ask everyone to commit at least 20 hours per year although it does depend on which roles you choose:

• Ambassadors and Inclusion Champions can choose to dip in and out when they have the time.
• Group Facilitators and Group Helpers are asked to commit to one group per week. Working in teams of two or three means that there is some flexibility for holidays, time away etc.

A group will usually take around 2 hours, including the actual 1-hour session, travel time and setting up/clearing up the room, plus completing the debriefing forms and signposting any women who need further support.

Further time will be required to attend 6-weekly supervision sessions, Team Days and any other training which is required.

Our Ambassadors and Inclusion Champions have more flexibility in terms of the time they are able to give to volunteering. However, we are always looking for Group Facilitators and Group Helpers who would be willing to run groups during evenings or weekends as well.

You may already have reached out to friends locally who also wish to volunteer. If this is the case, we can match you up to be part of the same local team. If not, we will coordinate our volunteers according to their location and availability. We will discuss this with you after your training has been completed.

“Supervision” is a term which is often used in clinical or social care settings to describe a process of reflection and/or case management. At Happy Mums we commission an independent Supervisor who is accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) who hosts two-monthly group supervision sessions (usually online) where all our Group Facilitators come together to share their experiences of running support groups. It’s a place to celebrate and to work through challenges.

Our operations manager, Katie Bruce, is the person to speak to if you have any questions or issues related to your volunteering at Happy Mums. She coordinates our volunteer network across Cumbria. She will contact you regularly to check-in on how things are going.

For Group Facilitators and Group Helpers we aim to match you to a group in your community, so we hope travel will be minimal. We also try to ensure that our face-to-face groups are held in venues which are easily accessible by walking or public transport.

Ambassadors and Inclusion Champions will be asked to volunteer mainly within their own community or location.

We have a mileage reclaim limit of 15miles each way when volunteering for a group, this is to help us manage our cashflow and maintain sustainability. 

We try to hold training in locations convinient to the majority of trainees, we re-emburse full travel expenses for training.

Peer support is based on mutual sharing of experiences so we do expect that our volunteers will feel able to do this. However, we know this can be challenging at first so you will receive training and support to navigate this safely and in a way that you find comfortable.

Yes we will reimburse all travel expenses incurred while volunteering. This includes money for fuel if you drive to and from venues (up to 15miles each way), or for public transport on buses and trains. We are not able to pay for taxis except in exceptional circumstances.

Yes of course. However, please be aware that you retain responsibility for your child(ren) if you bring them with you while you volunteer. Group Facilitators should consider whether they will be able to maintain concentration while facilitating the group, but this will depend on the age and development stage of your child and what you feel is right for you and them.

Of course – our priority is everyone’s wellbeing so if you need to step-back either temporarily or permanently we will support you to do this.