Volunteer Community Researcher: Shape Mental Health Services, Ashton-under-Lyne

The Community Researcher supports the Tameside, Oldham, Glossop & Stockport Mind Development Team by gathering insights from local people, communities and partners. This information informs funding bids, shapes services and identifies mental health needs, gaps and effective approaches across diverse groups.

What difference will you make?

As a Community Researcher you will play a vital part in shaping the future of TOGS Mind and the communities we serve. Your contribution goes beyond gathering information – it directly influences how we understand need, design services and secure the resources required to make a meaningful difference. By engaging with local people, groups and organisations you help ensure that real voices and lived experiences are at the heart of everything we do. Your research strengthens funding applications by providing clear, evidence‑based evidence of community need, highlighting gaps in provision and demonstrating demand for services. The time and effort you dedicate to conversations, surveys and community engagement directly contributes to new resources, programmes and opportunities. You will also help identify what is already working well, so TOGS Mind can build on effective approaches and replicate success. Your work supports inclusive, accessible and responsive services, fosters community voice and ownership, and strengthens relationships, encouraging wider participation. For volunteers, seeing how their work translates into tangible changes – new services, improved support and better mental health outcomes – is deeply rewarding. Your contribution helps create opportunities, reduce inequalities and improve lives.

What are we looking for?

Enthusiastic, community‑minded individuals who are passionate about making a positive difference in mental health and wellbeing. The right volunteer is naturally curious, enjoys speaking to people, values listening to real experiences and is eager to shape meaningful change. Approachability, empathy, the ability to build rapport with a wide range of backgrounds and a safe, respectful tone are essential. We value inclusion and diversity and particularly welcome volunteers who can help us engage underrepresented groups and capture a wide range of perspectives.

Key Skills and Experience Most Important Skills

• Strong communication and listening skills – engaging people in conversation, asking open questions and listening actively and respectfully
• Empathy and approachability – connecting with individuals from different backgrounds and making them feel heard and valued
• Interest in mental health and wellbeing – a genuine desire to improve outcomes for individuals and communities
• Reliability and organisation – following through on commitments and accurately recording information
• Open‑mindness and non‑judgement – respecting differing experiences, opinions and cultural perspectives

Experience

• Previous experience in volunteering, community work or engagement activities
• Confidence using basic digital tools such as email, online surveys or note‑taking systems
• Awareness of local community issues or services
• Experience supporting research, gathering feedback or facilitating group discussions

Our Approach

We recognise volunteers come from a wide range of backgrounds and may not have formal research experience. We prioritise attitude, commitment and willingness to learn over specific qualifications and provide guidance and support to help volunteers feel confident in their role.

Key Responsibilities

The primary responsibility of the Community Researcher is to engage directly with local people, community groups and partner organisations to explore mental health and wellbeing needs across a range of demographics. This includes ensuring that underrepresented voices are actively included.

Design and carry out research using methods such as surveys, focus groups, one‑to‑one conversations and community engagement activities. Identify key themes, including gaps in provision, barriers to accessing support and effective services or approaches.

Ensure all research is carried out ethically and professionally, maintaining confidentiality, recording information accurately and adhering to data protection standards. Build positive relationships within the community, acting as a trusted and approachable representative of TOGS Mind.

Collaboration with the Development Team is essential – aligning work to current funding priorities and ensuring that the insights gathered are relevant, timely and directly support organisational objectives.

Key Deliverables

Produce clear and concise research summaries that capture key findings and themes. Reports should be accessible and usable for a variety of purposes, particularly funding bids and service development.

Produce evidence that demonstrates community need and demand, including qualitative insights, case studies and, where appropriate, supporting data. Strengthen funding applications by clearly articulating why services are needed and how they will benefit the community.

Deliver thematic analysis identifying trends, gaps in provision and opportunities for development, along with accurate records of all engagement and research activity.

Team and Organisational Context

This role sits within the TOGS Mind Development Team, responsible for income generation and local partnership development. The team works collaboratively to design responsive, evidence‑based provision that meets community needs. The Community Researcher provides the essential evidence base that underpins funding applications, influences service design and supports long‑term planning.

Key Priorities

Capturing authentic community voice, ensuring research is inclusive and representative, and producing high‑quality evidence of need.