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Oxleas’ Volunteer to Work scheme supports people who use our mental health services
and are ready for paid employment. It provides an opportunity for them to volunteer for the
trust and then supports them to apply for jobs both within the trust and with external
employers.
Since the scheme began in early 2010 it has been very popular with service users and over
25 people are now on work placements across the trust.
We are committed to V2W because the stigma associated with mental health conditions can
make it hard for people to find volunteering opportunities, let alone paid employment.
V2W offers current Oxleas service users a chance to get a 12-18 month voluntary placement
within the trust. The scheme helps people to work towards getting back into employment
by regaining their social skills and building their confidence and self-esteem. After three
months, people taking part are eligible to gain a reference from Oxleas.
People aiming for part time employment spend 16-18 hours per week on placement while those
wanting to work full time spend 37 hours.
While on placement, they are supported by a network including the social inclusion project
manager, placement supervisor and their care coordinator.
If you are a service user or carer interested in joining the scheme, you can apply by filling
out an application of interest. You can tell your care coordinator you are interested or
contact the social inclusion project manager directly.
For more information, please call the social inclusion project manager on 020 8301 9487.