Children's Stay & Play Volunteer
Round Chapel Old School Rooms
We’re seeking volunteers for our weekly Wednesday Stay and Play sessions. This role is an excellent opportunity for parents of young children seeking more community involvement, or for students looking to gain practical experience in a community setting.
Our Wednesday Stay and Play provides a welcoming space for families with children under 5. It’s run by a small team of dedicated volunteers with the aim of promoting child development and strengthening community connection. The session is free or by donation. From 9.30am there’s tea & coffee, activity stations, sensory play, fruit snacks and a ‘free shop’. At 11 we have circle-time with a story and songs followed by a low cost lunch at 11.30. Some weeks there are craft activities or free workshops with Hackney Real Nappy Network or Plastic Free Hackney. The project is part of and contributes to our Families Project supporting local families living in temporary accommodation. We are looking for volunteers to help set up, run and pack away the Stay and Play each week in term time Roles and Responsibilities (tasks and timings are flexible depending on your availability, interests and skills) 8-9.30am Set up tasks • Lay out play mats, toys and play equipment to set up different ‘stations’ • Move chairs, tables and set up sign in desk • Set up Free Shop (take clothes out of boxes and put on tables/hangers) 9.30-11.30 Running Stay and Play tasks • Welcome families (especially new starters) and support them to access and explore the space safely • Help on the sign-in desk and receive donations • Anticipate hazards and keep space safe in line with our risk assessment (e.g. mop up spills, close gates) • Assist in the kitchen (chop and peel fruit/veg for snack/lunch, load/unload the dishwasher) • Replenish tea and coffee station, show families where to return mugs, collect mugs to wash • Run the Free Shop, set it up, keep it tidy and encourage people to make use of it • Facilitate a craft/activity table or lead a singing or story-time session (if interested) • Build relationships with families attending the Stay and Play sessions, flag any welfare or safeguarding concerns and introduce to Round Chapel staff for signposting to local services • Support families to help tidy up before circle time • Wipe activity tables, put away free shop and sensory play 11.30-12.30 Lunch and pack away tasks • Set out tables and chairs and support families to safely help • Receive donations and serve meals • Work with kitchen team to load and unload dishwasher • Help/encourage families to wipe tables and sweep • Put away chairs and tables
Community Work,General and Helping
Art & Craft, Cleaning & Tidying, Language Skills
• Kind, patient, enthusiastic, and interested in children and families. (Experience working with children is desirable but not required) • Proactive, reliable, and able to commit to 3 Stay and Play sessions a month for at least 6 weeks. • Calm, non-judgmental and empathetic • Good at communicating with people and working in a team. • Willing to attend safeguarding training outside of your volunteering hours.
• Supportive volunteering environment as part of a friendly and committed team. • Experience working for a grassroots community organisation. • Experience of working with families and children. • Ongoing support, supervision, and professional development opportunities
- Ideally volunteers would commit to 4hrs per week every Wednesday during term time but we are flexible and open to arrangements that make volunteering more accessible.
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Round Chapel Old School Rooms, 2 Powerscroft Road, Lower Clapton
The Round Chapel Old School Rooms is on Powerscroft Road (at the Lower Clapton Road end). Our beautiful building has 3 tall arched windows and stone steps outside. We are opposite the bus stop for the 242 bus. We are not connected to the larger ‘Round Chapel’ venue on Lower Clapton road. Overground: Hackney Central, Homerton and Hackney Downs Bus routes: 38, 106, 242, 253, 254, 488
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