Visitors’ Centre Volunteer Role Profile

Role purpose

  • To work in conjunction with the Invisible Walls team, prison staff, volunteers and partnership agencies to provide services to prison visitors.
  • To provide a welcoming first point of contact in the visitors’ centre.
  • Help maintain a clean, safe and welcoming environment.
  • Provide light refreshments to visitors
  • Help make the visiting experience positive for both adults and children
  • Support play activities where appropriate

Specific duties

  • To be responsible, together with your shift partner, for the opening and closing of the centre.
  • To support with general housekeeping duties as required, in order to, facilitate the smooth running of the visitors’ centre for the benefit of adults and children alike.
  • To set up the Visitors’ Centre rooms as directed to ensure they are family friendly.
  • To engage with visitors in a friendly and welcoming manner in order to provide a high standard of first point of contact.
  • To become familiar with the range of supportive literature available within the visitors’ centre in order to signpost visitors appropriately. Where further support or information is required (e.g. due to out of date, discontinued, missing information) to make a note and report to the Volunteer Coordinator.
  • To work in conjunction with the Volunteer Coordinator and prison staff with regards to reporting any issues or concerns arising.
  • Complete handover book at the end of each session including completion of data collection in line with set procedure.
  • Select appropriate resources/toys and encourage participation in play activities for children using the centre
  • Act as a positive role model for children and parents modelling good interaction and positive relationships
  • To make and serve light refreshments to visitors
  • To maintain clean environments, ensuring space is clean and fit for purpose while abiding to health and safety regulations
  • To undertake training and attend meetings as required in order to full- fill the role.

Hours per week

The Visitors’ Centre will be open 12.30-5pm. Days to be negotiated.

Commitment

We ask for at least one shift every two weeks for 6 months, however additional shifts welcome if availability allows.

Essential skills required

  • Good communication skills and a strong command of the English language.
  • Non judgmental and empathetic approach to people.
  • Confidence working with parents and their children.
  • An ability to work well as part of a team.
  • Commitment to safeguard children

Desirable skills required

  • An awareness of the procedures associated with prison visits and the impact they may have on visitors.
  • An understanding of how a good prison visit can strengthen family ties and reduce reoffending.
  • Health and safety awareness.
  • An awareness of the importance of prison security procedures.
  • Experience of working with children and families
  • An understanding of importance of play

WHO: Spurgeons is a national Children’s charity (

WHERE: Visitors Centre (Guymer Centre), HMP/YOI Winchester, Romsey Road, Winchester, HANTS, SO22 5DF

WHAT: The Invisible Walls Family Support Service aims to support families of offenders serving sentences in Hampshire. As part of this work we are providing a “wrap around” service during prison visits at HMP/YOI Winchester. This will provide families with a warm welcome, refreshments, advice and support during a stressful time.

WHO: We are looking for enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers who would like the opportunity to support visitors at HMP/YOI Winchester.

WHEN: Monday – Sunday between 12.30 – 5.00pm

In return for volunteering we offer you training; ongoing support; new skills and experience, an opportunity to make a difference; an opportunity to meet like minded people, CV enhancement, work experience.

Spurgeons is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people. All volunteers will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check