Oxfordshire Family Mediation

Volunteer Ambassador Scheme

Role Description

Background to the Volunteer Ambassador Scheme
Oxfordshire Family Mediation works to support families where parents live apart. Our mediation service is a step-by-step process with a trained mediator which helps former partners identify and agree what works best for them and their children after separation. We also run a service offering confidential support to children and young people affected by their parents’ separation and training for professionals working with children.
The Volunteer Ambassador Scheme is a new initiative, funded by the European Union and the Learning and Skills Council involving 14 volunteers who will be trained to go out into their communities and provide information, advice and guidance about our services to parents who are going through separation or living apart. They will explain the benefits of mediation and how to access the service. They will be required to complete a fully funded NVQ Level 3 in Information, Advice and Guidance during their volunteering.
Due to our funding criteria, priority will be given to applicants who are women or lone parents living in Rosehill, Cutteslowe, New Marston, Barton, Blackbird and Greater Leys, the Asian Communities and the Afro-Caribbean Communities who are currently unemployed and are looking to take steps towards employment. The aim is for participants to gain skills and experience, while also raising awareness about our services within their communities.
Tasks of the Volunteer Ambassador role
Volunteer Ambassadors will attend induction and training workshops with Oxfordshire Family Mediation about the volunteering role, separation, the challenges of separated parenting, communicating with an ex-partner, the benefits of mediation and how to deliver information, advice and guidance in their community. They will then be given the tools and support to create a plan for reaching and communicating with parents who may benefit from mediation.
During the course of their volunteering, they will also complete an NVQ Level 3 Qualification in Information, Advice and Guidance. This will involve meeting an NVQ Assessor for a one off group session and then for one to one meetings approximately every 4 - 6 weeks for a period of 6 months, during which the assessor will observe the volunteer in action in their community. Personal study for the NVQ will take approximately 2 to 2.5 hours per month and will involve creating a Portfolio of Evidence of the community volunteering and producing some reflective work.
It is expected that Volunteer Ambassadors will spend an average of 16 hours per week in this voluntary role for six months from February 2010, which may include time for travel, preparation, making appointments, follow up work and study time for the NVQ.
Tasks will include:
·  managing and distributing promotional materials,
·  liaising and engaging with community partners such as schools, community centres, children’s centres and other local services,
·  arranging and attending appointments to talk to parents,
·  supporting parents to access the mediation service,
·  keeping a record of appointments and other activities,
·  and keeping in regular contact with the Volunteer Ambassador Scheme Coordinator.
Support, Supervision and Resources
Volunteer Ambassadors will be supported by the Scheme Coordinator at OFM and by their NVQ Assessor. Both will be available to offer telephone support as well as sometimes meeting with volunteers while they are volunteering. Volunteers will be provided with materials to promote the service and with documents for planning and recording their progress. Volunteers will be reimbursed their travel expenses to induction and training sessions and any travel that is necessary when carrying out their voluntary work.
Person Specification
The Volunteer Ambassador roles will be best suited to those who have the following qualities:
·  A strong desire and commitment to achieve a qualification and improve employment skills,
·  Good personal organisation for keeping appointments and managing information materials,
·  Good, clear communication skills,
·  Enjoy working with and supporting others,
·  An empathy with the issues associated with separation and family breakdown
Eligibility for the scheme
Due to the nature of the funding for this scheme Volunteer Ambassadors must be:
·  Unemployed,
·  Women or single parents,
·  Have either GCSEs only or no qualifications at all,
·  Resident in the UK for 3 years and able to speak, read and understand English at a basic level,
·  Preferably located in Rosehill, Cutteslowe, New Marston, Barton, Blackbird and Greater Leys or Oxford’s Asian or Afro-Caribbean Communities.
Availability
Volunteers must be available to commit approximately 16 hours per week to the volunteering and the NVQ for 6 months from February 2010. Please see the attached timetable for Induction and Training times and dates. Precise times for community volunteering and contact with the Assessor are flexible and can be arranged by the volunteer to fit around childcare and / or other commitments.
Benefits to the Volunteer
Volunteers who carry out the role of Volunteer Ambassador will gain the following:
·  An NVQ Level 3 in Information, Advice and Guidance.
·  The equivalent of 16 hours work experience per week over at least a 6 month period.
·  Enhanced planning, communication, people and personal organisation skills.
·  Experience in impartial advice-giving, facilitation and individual support.
·  An understanding of the issues surrounding family breakdown.
Contact information
Joanna Botha, Volunteer Ambassador Scheme Coordinator,
OxfordshireFamilyMediation, 125LondonRoad, Oxford, OX39HZ
01865 741 781 – 07907 023 375 - - www.ofm.org.uk

OFM is Registered Charity: 1121058 www.ofm.org.uk OFM is Registered Company: 6258501