KeyRing

unlocking potential

JOB DESCRIPTION

Community Living Volunteer

Introduction

KeyRing has pioneered a unique model of support, focussing on the skills and abilities of vulnerable adults. Inspired by those we work with, we help people build the life they want and strengthen the communities in which we are placed. We are now looking to develop this model to create a more flexible range of support options and to work with other groups of people.

KeyRing is a charitable company supporting more than 850 people in over 100 Networks across England and Wales.

The Community Living Volunteer is expected to:

  • give advice and support to Members in the Network;
  • help them to lead ordinary lives in their own flats; and
  • live within the network in a property provided by KeyRing.

This role needs a volunteer who:

  • can offer support in a flexible and creative way when needed;
  • can offer 14 hours of this support - time spread through the week during office hours;
  • can make and receive phone calls as part of this 14 hours’ support in office hours;
  • can see Members in the evenings and the weekends;
  • will not mind Members phoning to ask for support or a chat;
  • will respond to emergencies (but you are NOT expected to be "on-call"); and
  • can organise your work time in a flexible way.

The post holder will be expected to give Members:

  • information, advice and support on practical matters relating to their tenancy (e.g. reminding KeyRing Members to pay their rent and bills, ensuring members understand that they must comply with tenancy conditions such as the upkeep of their flat and/or helping Members with benefits forms;
  • reassurance and emotional support .While KeyRing does not expect the Community Living Volunteer to offer counselling, KeyRing will expect the Volunteer to respond sympathetically to the need for reassurance and emotional support;
  • encouragement to help and support each other in solving problems and sharing their knowledge;
  • support to organise monthly Network meetings; and
  • support to make connections in their local community.

KeyRing expects the Community Living Volunteer to:

  • be available for 14 hours per week for network duties;

to be creative and flexible (with KeyRing’s support);

  • to build up links with local people and organisations and to encourage members to make use of goodwill, neighbourliness and facilities in their community; and
  • to participate in meetings and training workshops.

Equal Opportunities

The Community Living Volunteer is expected to abide by KeyRing's Single Equality Policy.

Accountability and Support

The Community Living Volunteer will liaise with their Supported Living Manager who will offer fortnightly support and supervision sessions, as well as day-to-day telephone support.

KeyRing will provide:

  • a flat or house in which the Community Living Volunteer will live to carry out the role. The rent on this self-contained property will be paid by KeyRing; and
  • the opportunity to take a break from the Network for up to 6 weeks per year.

For this volunteering arrangement to work, the CLV needs to be willing to meet the expectations set out in the CLV arrangement which outlines both the volunteer’s and KeyRing’s responsibilities.

Location

The post is based in the Sandwell area.

CLVs are expected to attend occasional meetings at the regional office.

KeyRing

unlocking potential

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Community Living Volunteer

You would need to be someone who has:

  • Personal qualities such as: common sense, enthusiasm, the ability to motivate others, trustworthiness, reliability, openness to learn, calmness in a crisis.
  • Good communication and interpersonal skills.
  • An ability to set personal and work boundaries.
  • Experience of being active in an area relevant to this work: e.g. community work, learning disability, physical disability, mental health or youth matters. Your experience might come from voluntary, personal or professional involvement.
  • An ability to talk easily to people such as neighbours and families and agencies like the Benefits Agency or Social Services.
  • The ability to get people to work together in groups.
  • An understanding of the problems often faced by people with learning difficulties trying to live in their own homes.
  • An ability to juggle a complex and demanding workload.
  • A commitment to KeyRing's aims and objectives.
  • A commitment to KeyRing's equal opportunities policy.
  • A knowledge of resources available in the local community.
  • An understanding and acceptance that you are offering your services as a volunteer and that you will not be a worker or employee.

You are also likely to be the kind of person who:

  • is active in their local community;
  • wants to develop a career in social care;
  • enjoys voluntary work and sees this role as an extension of that work;
  • does sessional or free-lance work, e.g. youth work, tutoring, etc;
  • is a student; or
  • does part-time work.

The post is likely to best suit someone not working full-time. In selecting for interview we will favour applications from those who are part-time or free-lance workers, students or unemployed.

KeyRing is committed to give equality of opportunity to all applicants.