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OTR Bristol | 05/11/2024

Student/Volunteer Therapist

Application Deadline: 24/11/2024
Hours: 7.5
Salary: N/A
Contract Type: N/A
Interview Date: 05/12/2024

OTR are looking for passionate, creative therapists to volunteer for us. This role will give you the opportunity to work as part of an exciting, innovative team delivering 1:1 counselling/physchotherapy mental health support to young people (11-18 year olds), promoting wellbeing and managing distress, from across Bristol and South Gloucestershire.

We are looking for volunteer therapists to work across our OTR locations:

  • 8-10 West Street, St Philips, Bristol, BS2 0BH
  • The Armadillo, Station Rd, Yate, Bristol BS37 4FW
  • OTR North Somerset, 40a Rodney Road, Backwell BS48 4HW

We are looking for therapists both qualified and in training who:

  • Are creative and open to multiple therapeutic modalities
  • Are able to work with young people 
  • Have demonstrable experience of working in a supporting/helping role with young people/adults

Volunteer therapist positions are open to all specialties of therapists, including but not limited to; art, counselling, CBT, drama, systemic, or play therapy. However, therapists will be willing to work outside their modality, in a general relational approach, if required by the young person. OTR will freely provide all trainees their full supervision requirements, as per BACP regulations.

Additionally, there's an opportunity for a Black Person or Person of Colour to volunteer as a therapist within Project Zazi, which focusses on creating opportunities, building aspirations, and empowering young Black people and young People of Colour, supporting individuals in exploring culture, identity, and tackling inequality.

For more information about Project Zazi, click here.

Please note that OTR does not normally take trainee therapists in their first year of training unless they can demonstrate experience working therapeutically with young people.

To find out more about the role please download the job pack and Info & FAQ document below. If you would like an informal chat about the role, please email Claire Dean - claire@otrbristol.org.uk

To apply for this role click the 'Apply now' button below

We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to developing a team that reflects the diversity of the people we work with

OTR & Benefits:

OTR is a mental health social movement by and for young people. The charity is at an exciting stage of its 59-year history and is proud to be reaching more young people than ever before (over 20,000) across Bristol, South Gloucestershire, and North Somerset with creative and diverse mental health and wellbeing info and support.

Click here to find out more about what we do

Our approach to mental health is grounded in a set of beliefs and assumptions that underpins all of our work. We believe in celebrating diversity, empowering and mobilising young people to make change, and that catering to the unique strengths, interests and circumstances surrounding young people is key. Our approach centres on collaboration and partnership, building relationships between individuals, peers and communities.

Each day is as engaging and fulfilling as the last, and with a network of supportive, community minded people, we hope you’ll feel welcome here. As a thank you, we like to compensate our employees for the important work they do with a range of benefits including a flexible leave policy (38 days), healthcare cost assistance with HealthShield, flexible and hybrid working arrangements, enhanced sick pay, parental leave, continual training and development, free yoga and reiki, and more (subject to contractual terms and conditions).

A Willingness to Work with Difference

At OTR, whatever your role or professional background, you will be expected to work in a way that is anti-oppressive and inclusive. A key focus for OTR is to develop an organisation that is inclusive for all but we do not claim to be experts in this. We are committed to continuous learning and improvement in these areas and invite you to join us on this journey.

OTR recognises the benefits to individual practice and organisational credibility of having a diverse community of staff and volunteers and to this end is continually working towards building and maintaining an environment which values and pursues diversity accordingly.

We recognise that tackling systemic inequality, prejudice, racism and oppressive practice requires each of us to actively engage, self-examine and make changes where necessary, in order to improve access and equitable experience for all in society and all of those who come through our doors at OTR.


Job Description: Student_Volunteer_Therapist_Role_Pack.pdf