Do you have what it takes to become one of Val’s Pals?
Plans to deliver a pilot volunteer buddy initiative to offer support to people living with poor mental health are under way.
Driven by Voluntary Action Lochaber (VAL), Val’s Pals aims to help those whose mental health has been affected as a direct result of the pandemic or a pre-existing condition that has been exacerbated due to Covid.
The service will also be available to people who have not been diagnosed with a mental health condition but who are lacking in confidence and no longer feel able to do the activities they used to do.
Dani Drummon from VAL is co-ordinating the project and said: ‘The pandemic has impacted everyone’s mental health on some level and people have stopped doing things they used to enjoy.
‘VAL identified a gap in the community and secured funding from the Scottish Government’s Mental Health and Wellbeing fund and is looking for volunteers to give an hour or more of their time each week to help people take their first tentative steps back to having fun and integrating with the community.’
VAL hope to recruit volunteers with different interests for around an hour per week. Activities could include helping someone get back out walking, going to the gym or a fitness class or attending a weekly group activity.
All Val’s Pals volunteers will have out of pocket expenses paid, receive weekly support and regular supervision and training.
VAL intends to launch the service by the end of April when people will be able to self-refer in confidence via the Facebook page or by calling 01397 706044.
Organisations and the NHS can also refer someone if they feel they would benefit from the support.
Individuals will be matched with a volunteer then meet once a week for six weeks with the aim that by the end of that period, the person using the service will be able to do the activity independently.
‘The main role of the volunteer is to enable people to resume activities they used to enjoy by providing peer support and encouragement,’ said Dani.
‘This will be a very rewarding and enjoyable volunteering opportunity.’
For more information about either the service or volunteering as a buddy, email volunteering@valochaber.org or call 01397 706044.