Do you have an interest and a passion for Mental Health? Would you like to make a difference to the mental health needs of your community? Do you like organising things and getting involved? Then you might want to be a trustee for Abacus Counselling and Support.

Abacus Counselling and Support is a small charity with a significant impact, founded in 2012 it provides affordable and accessible counselling services to young people over 13 and adults in and around Southend-on-Sea and the surrounding communities (Leigh on sea, Westcliff, Shoeburyness, Thorpe Bay and Rochford). Our mission is to protect and promote mental and emotional wellbeing by ensuring that people facing anxiety, depression, bereavement, trauma, relationship difficulties, loneliness and other life challenges can access professional support regardless of their financial circumstances. As demand for mental health services continues to rise and statutory provision remains stretched, our service provides an important early intervention that helps people manage difficulties before they reach crisis point.

Joining Abacus Counselling will allow you to work as part of a friendly and supportive team. After your induction you will gain organisational, communication and teamworking skills, and develop your knowledge of the mental health sector. You will have the chance to work with the public, at events. You will also have the satisfaction of knowing you are helping people to get the support they need, to improve their mental health. If you are a counsellor or mental health professional, it is also a good way to make links and connect to other professionals.

Abacus needs some more trustees, to ensure it is running safely and effectively and meeting its legal aims as a registered charity. We are looking to further build on the skills and experience in the team and ensure we have a range of views and abilities.

SKILLS

An interest in mental health is essential. Mental health related qualifications are useful, but not essential. Organisations skills, teamwork/communication skills, flexible/adaptable.