Role Purpose
Our Volunteer Programme provides a support service to Women who have recently left prison and are accommodated in one of our residential settings.
You will be required to build trusting and respectful relationships with residents living at the premises, to ensure they can build confidence and re-build their lives for a promising future. This involves working directly with clients and staff to ensure the most effective support is being provided for clients.
The role involves supporting the team in providing group and individual sessions for individuals through activities or one to one mentoring. It also includes supporting clients with sign posting around any life challenges such as financial, housing, benefits, employment.
The role is fast paced with a range of opportunities for training and development, such as developing skills working with client groups around safeguarding, mental health and Domestic abuse.
This is a rewarding role, with many positive outcomes for those living at an IA premises. In return for your volunteering efforts, we offer specialised training, paid expenses, and high level of support and supervision from a Volunteer Coordinator. Additionally, you will also gain insight into the Survivor services and an opportunity to engage with and shadow industry professionals.
Key Responsibilities
Spend time with the participant assisting in activities that are agreed on the initial action plan, for example:
- Providing practical and emotional support
- Run agreed activities at the unit
- Engage in regular supervision sessions with the volunteer coordinator
- Feedback session outcomes within 48hrs
- Actively promote Interventions Alliance values within the work conducted with participants
- Maintain knowledge of current working practices within Interventions Alliance that supports survivors
- Work in a non-discriminatory manner and promote diversity & equality
- Attend volunteer meetings and participate in ongoing training activities
Skills and Qualifications
- Ability to listen effectively and communicate with others
- Ability to keep commitments and/or appointments
- Ability to use own initiative to identify and access relevant resources
- Share information appropriately within boundaries of confidentiality
- Capacity to understand and work within necessary guidance to ensure both yourself and the participant understand your professional relationship.
- Ability to demonstrate positive behavior providing a good role model to participants through pro-social modelling.
- Be non-judgmental, open minded and self-aware
- Knowledge of basic IT skills
- Ability to encourage and allow people to make their own choices and decisions
Benefits to Volunteers
- Skill Development: Gain hands-on experience in working along side criminal justice services.
- Professional Growth: Gain experience developing unique experiences and developing professional contacts.
- Impactful Work: Contribute to supporting individuals and families improve their lives and enable them to move on with confidence and resilience.
Training Provided
- Initial Training: Training led by the Volunteer team and BCSSU department of behavior change, covering safeguarding, mentoring skills, Refuge induction. Specialized training related to approved activity
- Ongoing Support: Regular check-ins and support sessions to ensure volunteers are confident and effective in their roles.
- Professional Development: Access to workshops relevant to the role.
Commitment
- Hours: Minimum of 4 hours per week, with flexibility based on volunteer availability and participant needs.
- Duration: Minimum commitment of 12 months to ensure consistency and reliability in feedback collection.
Supervision
- Supervision: Supervision is conducted by the volunteer team members every 4-6 weeks, but onsite staff at the refuges are there to do debriefs and be there as ongoing support for the volunteers.
Application Process
- How to Apply: Interested candidates should submit their resume and a brief cover letter explaining their interest in the role to Volunteering@interventionsalliance.co.uk