Interesting about this job
Would you like to contribute to the mental health of young people with your knowledge and experience? As a professional at @ease, you will make a difference for our young volunteers: you will be their coach, enquirer and clinical compass.
About @ease
At @ease, young people aged between 12 and 25 can go for free when things are (l)just not right. Sometimes they get stuck in their head, at school, at home, with themselves or with others. Then it is important to find a place where they feel comfortable and can tell their story. After all, this is how they regain a grip on what is going on.
The heart of @ease is formed by young volunteers: our peers. These are young people aged 18-30 who listen. This peer-to-peer approach is unique in the Netherlands and proven effective. Because research shows that young people feel safe, seen and heard at @ease - precisely because they talk to someone their own age, who does not immediately diagnose, but simply listens.
@ease consists of a national office in Amersfoort and 15 locations across 10 cities in the Netherlands. At each location, young people can go for a talk.
Job tasks and duties
Your role as a professional within @ease
Within the scientifically-based @ease methodology, peer volunteers work together with professionals: experienced youth workers, psychologists, neighbourhood teams and other social workers. As a professional, you guide and coach them, think through difficult situations and join conversations when necessary. The volunteers are the primary discussion partners; you only come into the picture when a situation requires it, for example in case of worrying signals or risks.
You support the volunteers (e.g. volunteers with experiential expertise or students with a social background) during and after the conversations, monitor safety and the application of the @ease methodology, and ensure appropriate follow-up actions if necessary. If necessary, you will consult by phone with the rear guard psychiatrist and consider possible referral to appropriate care or support.
Involuntary or in-kind
Professionals at @ease always work on a voluntary basis. This can be done in two ways. Some professionals are loaned in-kind by the healthcare organisation they are employed by, often a local partner organisation of @ease. Others volunteer on their own initiative, alongside their regular work or retirement. In both cases, your role is mainly advisory and coaching, not treatment. You believe in early prevention and want to connect to young people's existing resilience, preventing them from walking around with symptoms for longer than necessary.
Job skills and qualities
What are you going to do?
- Coaching, mentoring and supporting young volunteers during the service
- Review talks
- Stimulating reflection
- Supervise safety, methodology and conversation management (both in physical conversations and via chat)
- Consult with the rear guard psychiatrist when necessary
- Respond quickly and appropriately to worrying signals, risks or crisis and organise follow-up
What will you bring:
You are an experienced professional who feels solid in dynamic situations, with a warm heart for young people and an eye that stays sharp even when things get tense. This role fits well with professionals who want to empower young people without directing them. Who believe in the power of peer support and want to give space to the voices of our young volunteers.
- You have demonstrable experience as a social worker in mental health, youth care, crisis care, social domain, social work etc.
- You have relevant training in psychology, medicine, remedial education, social work, HBO Social Work etc.
- You can adequately interpret risks and signals and act in crisis situations
- You have strong coaching and communication skills
- You are stress-resistant, empathetic and can listen well without judgement
- You are available at least 1 Tuesday evening p/month for a shift of about 3.5 hours
Extra information
What do we offer you?
- A meaningful role in which your expertise contributes directly to the mental health of young people
- The opportunity to coach young volunteers and give them relevant work experience
- Special training on the evidence-based and internationally recognised @ease training
- Collaboration with an enthusiastic team of volunteers, professionals and on-call psychiatrists
- A rapidly growing, national organisation, where professionalism and innovation go hand in hand
- Flexible deployment on a voluntary basis or via secondment
- A meal and a fun team activity twice a year
Job information
| Job type | Volunteer Work |
|---|---|
| Services | training, volunteer contract, expense allowance, Certificate of Good Conduct is required |
| Duration | 6 to 12 months |
| Work hours of your own choosing? | Yes |
| tuesday afternoon, tuesday evening | |
| Location | @ease walk-in location |
Organisation address and information
@ease
Kraneweg 33
9718 JE Groningen
Website: https://ease.nl/groningen.php