Volunteer Counsellor

Volunteer Student Counsellor 

Role Details Organisation: The Mental Shift CIC 

Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead, County Durham, or Leeds 

Hours: Minimum 6 hours per week (up to 24 hours available) 

Contract Type: Voluntary / Unpaid 

Shifts: Set weekly shifts (agreed in advance)

About The Mental Shift CIC 

The Mental Shift CIC is a community interest company dedicated to supporting young people’s mental health and wellbeing. We work within educational settings to provide accessible, early-intervention support for students facing emotional, behavioural, and neurodevelopmental challenges.

Role Overview 

We are seeking a committed and compassionate Volunteer Student Counsellor to deliver 1:1 counselling sessions to male students aged 11–16 within a secondary school environment.

This role is ideal for trainee or newly qualified counsellors looking to gain direct, meaningful experience while working towards professional registration.

You will support students presenting with a range of needs, including:

• Mental health difficulties (e.g. anxiety, low mood)
• Behavioural challenges
• Neurodiversity-related needs (e.g. ADHD, autism)
• Emotional regulation and resilience development

Key Responsibilities 

• Deliver structured 1:1 counselling sessions in a school setting
• Build safe, trusting therapeutic relationships with young people
• Maintain accurate and confidential session records in line with ethical standards
• Assess risk and follow safeguarding procedures where necessary
• Work in line with organisational policies, safeguarding guidance, and professional ethical frameworks
• Communicate effectively with the wider team where appropriate (while maintaining client confidentiality)
• Engage in regular clinical supervision
• Demonstrate reliability and consistency in attending agreed weekly sessions

Person Specification 

Essential Requirements 

• A recognised counselling qualification, such as: Level 4 Diploma or Foundation Degree (must be leading to professional registration)
• Experience (placement or voluntary) working with children or young people
• Ability to work independently within a structured setting
• Strong understanding of safeguarding and professional boundaries
• Enhanced DBS Certificate (or willingness to obtain)
• Ability to reliably travel to and attend one set location each week

Desirable 

• Experience working in a school or youth setting
• Knowledge of neurodiversity and trauma-informed approaches
• Membership (or working towards membership) with a professional body (e.g. BACP, NCPS, UKCP)

Additional Requirements 

• Professional indemnity insurance (can be discussed if not currently in place)
• Willingness to engage in ongoing supervision and reflective practice

What We Offer 

• Valuable hands-on counselling experience in a school environment
• Opportunity to work with and support vulnerable young people
• Access to regular clinical supervision
• Flexible shift planning to suit availability (within agreed structure)
• Opportunity to build hours towards professional accreditation
• A supportive and purpose-driven environment

How to Apply / Enquire 

To express interest or discuss the role further, please contact:

📧 kai@thementalshift.org

This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.