VILLAGE HAVEN VOLUNTEER ROLE PROFILE
Date last updated: 10thMay 2016
About the Role
The Village Haven is a temporary structure located within the Gay Village. LGBT Foundation are running a pilot to explore the potential for a safe haven within the Village.The pilot will involve 10 weekends where a haven is run within the Village. The Village Haven would provide support in a safe environment for vulnerable adults who require more ongoing support than could be provided on the streets. The Village Haven will be staffed by one shift lead and two volunteers per night.
Shift leads and volunteers will provide individual support to vulnerable adults in the Haven. Service users will be adults who have become vulnerable within the night time economy, and require assistance to be able to travel home safely. Village Haven volunteers will provide individual assistance to volunteers, and where relevant, engage with third party services to ensure the service user is supported to move to a place of safety. The Village Haven will aim to take the pressure off stretched emergency services, and enable vulnerable people within the Village to be properly supported, to prevent them from coming to serious harm.
Village Haven Volunteers will work from 11:30pm until 5:30am on either a Friday or Saturday night shift. Transportation will be provided for volunteers, as will as a small meal on shift. Full training will be provided by the LGBT Foundation.
Benefits of the Role
Volunteering in this role could help you develop the following skills, and gain experience of:
- Team work skills
- Confidence building activity
- Speaking to members of the public
- Talking about sensitive subjects
- Skills in providing help and support
- Skills in responding quickly and efficiently to stressful situations
Typical duties
- To attend Village Haven shifts and support the Haven team in delivery of the programme. (We require a minimum commitment of one Haven shift per month)
- To be a friendly, welcoming presence in the Village, and be aware that you are a highly visible ambassador forLGBT Foundation at all times.
- To support vulnerable adults in the Village Haven
- To have a good understanding of local services (particularly those delivered byLGBT Foundation).
- To be able to engage in brief interventions with service users around a variety of issues – Eg; mental health, sexual health, substance abuse
- To work effectively as part of the team whilst on shift
- To work with vulnerable people to help them to get home safely
- To attend bi monthly support & development meetings
- To notifyLGBT Foundation in as much time as possible if unable to attend/maintain your commitment to the Village Haven
Skills & Knowledge Required
- Confidence when talking to new people.
- Ability to think on your feet, and to creatively solve problems
- Able to communicate effectively with a wide range of people about a diverse range of topics
- Trustworthy and honest
- Ability to remain calm in stressful and challenging situations.
- An understanding of personal safety
- Confidence engaging with adults who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- An understanding of lesbian, gay and bisexual and transgender communities.
- An understanding of and a commitment to client confidentiality (in accordance withLGBT Foundation Confidentiality Procedures and Policy)
- Confidence talking about sensitive issues such as sexual assault or addiction.
- Ability to locate information for service users
- A commitment to equal opportunities and diversity
- Flexibility around volunteering availability, and a willingness to work unsociable hours
Essential Training & Support required for the role
- Induction to LGBT Foundation
- Village Haven basic training
DBS Check required?
Yes
The signature below indicates you have read and understood the role profile, and are aware that if any of the above may prove a problem you can discuss this with your volunteer supervisor and/or the Volunteer Manager.