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Housing and Support Volunteer
- Location: Mendip and South Somerset areas
- Salary: n/a
Who we are?
YMCA Brunel Group is an independent, locally governed and managed charity operating in Mendip, Bath, Bristol, Wiltshire and South Somerset. We are part of the international YMCA movement. Our mission is to create supportive, inclusive and energising communities, where people can truly belong, contribute and thrive.
Our activities include:
Accommodation for over 700 people every year who are at risk of being homeless, who are on low incomes, experience barriers to work, or young people in need of high levels of support, who have often experienced trauma and difficult times in their lives. We don’t just provide a bed, we support people holistically and continually seek to help our residents gain the training, skills and confidence to lead independent lives.
A Health & Wellbeing centre in Bath, a community facility with a fully kitted out gym, functional fitness areas and extensive class programme.
Two commercial hostels in Bath and Bristol which help us cover our central costs.
Twelve youth clubs for young people aged 10-19, including 4 young carers groups, providing a space where they can have dedicated time to talk to trusted youth workers, access relevant information about issues that concern them, and develop their social networks.
Eight Ofsted registered Nurseries, providing spaces for up to 360 children where they are given opportunities and experiences that will set them up for their educational journeys and prepare them for their lives ahead.
What does the role entail?
Would you be interested in joining our housing and support team to help us make a success of our wonderful housing projects in the Mendip and South Somerset area?
Do you enjoy meeting new people or would like to gain mentoring, housing support and trauma informed skills? We are looking for volunteers to help supporting our vulnerable clients at risk of homelessness in our foyers along with our friendly team.
You will help to ensure that our clients have an enjoyable and safe stay. The types of tasks you’d be helping them to do are dependent on what skills you would like to bring or learn. We are aiming at creating a volunteering group which meet our clients and help them setting up activities (cooking, gardening, drawing etc.). The role could also include administrative elements (such as supporting our support workers and managers with their administrative tasks). We are looking for lovely, patient, kind people to help support our clients. Mentoring or befriending a client could also be one of the tasks offered depending of your knowledge of trauma informed practices and professional boundaries. Your role will be to verbally guide and encourage our clients to try new things. Think of yourself as a cheerleader!
The successful candidate will have a creative approach to tasks, with a ‘can-do’ attitude. They will not be afraid to ask questions to ensure they are on the right track.
What skills will the successful candidate need?
- A welcoming attitude
- Good and effective communication skills, including being a good listener
- Be flexible and adaptable
- Be punctual
- Positive attitude
- Be willing to work as part of a team
- Knowledge of health and Safety code of practice and Safeguarding principles.
Location
Our housing projects are located in the Mendip and South Somerset areas as follows: Street, Wells, Shepton Mallet, Yeovil, Glastonbury and Frome.
If you are interested please contact: volunteering@ymca-bg.org to get further information about the role!
YMCA Brunel Group is committed to follow safer recruitment guidelines and all candidates will have to demonstrate full employment history, give 2 good references and be DBS checked. In line with the requirements of the Asylum & Immigration Act 1996, all applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK. Documented evidence of eligibility will be required from candidates as part of the recruitment process.