Role Guided Self Help Assistant

Volunteer Role Profile

Role summary Providing help and guidance to clients accessing the Information Resource Centre and supporting the operation of the Shelter office in their day to day business.

Suggested Involvement One day per week minimum suggested for around 6 months, but this is flexible

Supervised by Information and Resource Officer

Why get involved with Shelter?

More than one million people a year come to us for advice and support via our website, help lines, and national network of services. We help people to find and keep a home in a place where they can thrive, and we tackle the root causes of bad housing by campaigning for new laws, policies and practice.

Main Tasks

· Assisting Clients with form filling

· Helping Clients to prepare template letters

· Support Clients to use Choice Based Lettings systems

· Provide information and links to temporary/permanent accommodation solutions

· General basic admin, such as photocopying, scanning, creating client files and filing

Skills and Abilities Required

· Experience of working with the public

· Using computer programs such as Word and Excel

· Effective communication skills and the ability to understand the needs of our customers

· Willingness to follow Shelter’s policies, including volunteering, health and safety, equality and diversity and confidentiality

Induction, Learning & Development

To enable you take part in this opportunity Shelter will

· Provide a volunteer pack including a Handbook and all Policies and Procedures

· Provide personalised volunteering plan, covering support and development

· Provide e-learning: Equality & Diversity, Health and Safety, Data Protection, Case Management systems

· Reimburse ‘out of pocket’ expenses in line with Shelter’s volunteer expenses policy

Benefits of Volunteering with Shelter

· Supporting and learning about the work of a large national charity

· Developing transferable skills

· Enhances your CV, we can help you to update this and will provide references when you leave our services

Next Steps

· Please apply online by clicking the ‘apply for this position’ button at the bottom of the ad for this role on our website. If you have any questions please contact our offices on 0344 515 1656 or via email at

· As this role is client facing we are obliged to carry out a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check.

This is a voluntary position that supports the work of our services and is not replacing the work of a paid member of staff. This role description does not form part of any contract of employment.