Hours: Between 5-10 hours per week (days)
Role Type: 12 months
Why this role would be great for you
Do you have a passion for supporting people in their lives to help them progress to independent living?
We are recruiting for a volunteer who shares our values and would like to help people in their spare time.
The purpose of this role is to support the in the provision of the befriending service providing telephone support to people moving into more independent living, acting as a stepping stone, to support them in their tenancy. To work with the Single Homeless Accommodation Project team in the development of the service developing sustainability.
We aim for people to have a meaningful connection with each other, lifting people out of loneliness and isolation through the power of friendship. Befriending will be a little different to your relationship with other friends. It will be a "supported friendship", which means that both you (as the volunteer), and the person you are matched with (your friend) will be in regular contact with a Befriending Coordinator from the Community Housing team.
This is important for us to conduct the required reviews, to provide the necessary additional information or training support, and to help resolve any problems or concerns that might arise from time to time. It is also important that we check that our befriending boundaries are being maintained, to safeguard both yourself and your friend.
What your week may look like
* Undertake remote befriending on calls or video at set times each week that are mutually agreed upon, respecting the client's confidentiality.
* Active listening and informing the manager of any concerns about the client.
* Follow up any needs or actions for the client together with their support worker.
* To be empathetic rather than judgmental about a client's situation and circumstances.
What can we offer you
* Experience working with a charitable organisation
* A sense of satisfaction and pride for helping to make a valuable difference
* You will learn more about supporting individuals with diverse support and we will support you in how best to offer support
* Building your self-confidence and connection to your community
* Improvements to your own mental health and wellbeing
* References for future employers
* Meet new people
* Personal development and learning
The skills we are looking for
KNOWLEDGE – Knowledge of issues affecting client group and basic computer skills
SKILLS: – Reliable and committed to our clients when it is needed within the boundaries of the role, good at summarising and noting down information
COMMUNICATION – Excellent communication, fostering a respectful, collaborative and professional approach to the people who you work alongside ensuring confidentiality at all times
EMPATHY and RESPECT – The ability to empower people to make positive changes, showing empathy whilst maintaining professional boundaries
COMMITMENT – The ability to work in an innovative and solutions focused way, including reflecting and learning as you go, and a willingness to flex and adapt approaches as needed
ORGANISATION – Strong time management and the ability to manage to prioritise tasks
COMPUTER LITERACY – Computer literate, competent in working with Microsoft Office Suite (particularly excel and word) and use of HR database systems.
What is a nice to have
* Previous experience of working in the voluntary or statutory sector
* Experience and good understanding of volunteering and or working with complex needs
Even if you don't feel that you have all the relevant skills and "nice to haves" we would still like to hear from you and invite you to fill out our application form.
YMCA Together is an equal opportunities employer, values diversity and is strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, regardless of age, disability, gender, ethnicity, religion and sexual orientation.