Role Description

Role Title:Refuge Support Volunteer

Department: Supported Housing

Reports to:Services Manager

Location: Ealingor Merton

Overall Aim

We are looking forafemale volunteer with an interest in working with women who have experienced Domestic Violence.The volunteer will be working alongside with our experienced refuge staff supporting clients on day to day basis and assisting with the smooth running of the refuge in a supportive and confidential environment. Refuge Support Volunteers are significant in helping clients regain their independence and confidence.

Key Responsibilities

  1. Client Work:
  • Providing emotional support to clients, offering assistance with tasks such as helping them to complete forms, register with GP, etc. as well as signposting them to local services
  • Support clients to develop home skills and financial budgeting
  • Advocating on behalf of clients with external agencies and obtaining up to date external organisational information relevant to supporting women
  • Accompanying clients to external appointments (Housing Department, Jobcentre, etc.)
  1. Office Work:
  • Taking referrals over the phone
  • Reporting and logging repairs to the maintenance team
  • Supporting staff with day-to-day housing management
  • Organising and planning weekly women’s activities and monthly group activities
  • Helping out with general administration tasks (such as filing, statistics gathering, etc.)
  • Assisting with regular Health and Safety checks including fire drills, weekly fire checks and daily risk assessments
  1. Other:
  • Attending supervision sessions as required
  • To act in accordance with the aims of Housing for Women
  • To promote and implement Housing for Women’s Equal Opportunities Policy and other polices adopted by the Board.

Availability

We are looking for someone who can spend 2-3days a week with usfor at least of 6 months.

Ideally the volunteer will be able to start on or before the first week of May and although we can be flexible with days, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays would be ideal.

Our core volunteer hours are Monday to Friday 9.30-4.30pm.

Benefits of volunteering

  1. Experience of working in a supportive and professional environment with women and children who have experienced domestic violence
  2. Full induction, support and supervision
  1. Opportunity to develop new skills
  2. Relevant training opportunities (i.e. DV awareness, Safeguarding, data protection, etc.)

Additional Information

Full training and induction will be provided. This role has opportunities for the volunteer to take on more responsibilities and develop and gain new skills.

We reimburse genuine out of pocket travel expenses to and from the place of work and up to £4for lunch expenses.

Due to the nature of the work, thisroleis restricted tofemale only candidates. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Housing for Women will conduct a full DBS Check.

Role Experience, Knowledge and Skills Profile

Experience & qualifications /
  • Interest in working with women and children who are survivors of domestic violence
  • Understanding of safeguarding and children protection

Skills /
  • Ability to work on own initiative
  • Good Interpersonal skills
  • Active listener
  • Leadership and engagement
  • Motivating and coaching
  • Problem solving
  • Negotiation
  • Good verbal and written communication skills

Personal style and behaviour /
  • Resilient, able to handle conflict and remains calm under pressure
  • Reliable and Flexible
  • Have a non-judgemental attitude
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • Emotionally mature
  • Nurturing

Other requirements /
  • Commitment to quality, customer service, best practice and best value in all aspects of the Association’s operations
  • Personal commitment to the corporate values, vision and objectives of Housing for Women’s culture of continuous service improvement
  • Evidenced commitment to equality and diversity
  • Willingness to carry out training where appropriate

For more information please contact Maria Galan – Volunteer Co-ordinator

Email: Phone: 020 3794 4798 Mobile: 07711 469094

Housing for Women, 6th Floor, Blue Star House 234-244 Stockwell Road, London SW9 9SP

24/03/16