Step Up Support Volunteer
Volunteer Centre Hackney
As a Step Up Support Volunteer you will be playing a critical role in supporting our members on their journey towards volunteering and paid work.
Background Step Up is an innovative project that aims to support people with mental health issues to access, and sustain, volunteering as part of their mental health recovery and personal journey towards employment. At VCH we believe that volunteering has many benefits to mental, emotional and social wellbeing whilst recognising there can be all sorts of barriers towards finding a useful and supportive placement. If someone has had difficulties with mental health issues then they may feel unsure of how other people are going to treat them, might be feeling low in confidence and self-esteem, or might want to get a job but be rusty in work-based skills and experience. We use a range of different strategies to support people to move on with their lives including tailored, specialist 1:1 support from staff to find suitable volunteer and paid opportunities; peer support; wellbeing workshops and employment workshops. Our weekly Thursday Next Steps sessions (10.30am-12.30pm), based at VCH, is another important part of what we offer. This session is an opportunity for members to use our computers (or bring their own) to search for jobs or volunteer roles, work on CVs, or complete applications. We provide hot drinks and biscuits and staff support where needed. The group has a friendly atmosphere and we like to make it a place for a chat as well as to do some work on finding volunteering or employment. We also plan to introduce monthly learning sessions on relevant topics such as CVs, interview technique etc. Outline of the Role As a Step Up Support Volunteer you will be playing a critical role in supporting our members on their journey towards volunteering and paid work. This can take a variety of forms including the below. We are open to new suggestions for how the role could develop to better support our members. A Step Up staff member would always be present throughout. The Next Steps session takes place every Thursday at the VCH Office in Dalston, 10.30am-12.30pm. The shift for this role would be 10.15am – 12.45pm to allow for set up and clear up. Step Up Support Volunteer tasks: Welcoming Step Up members to the session Making hot drinks for members and washing up mugs Introducing members to how to use our computers Setting up and clearing away equipment IT support – this may be with navigating job portals; using filters to find jobs/ volunteer roles; basic email queries etc. (our members have a huge range of IT experience so sometimes it is quite basic support which is needed) Dealing with reception telephone calls (Optional) Employment support- using your own knowledge and experience to help people with job search, CVs or job applications (this is not crucial and a member of Step Up staff would always be on hand to provide this kind of advice). (Optional) Help plan and deliver monthly learning sessions on relevant topics such as CVs, interview technique etc.
Administration,Advice, Information & Support,Befriending, Buddying & Mentoring,Support Work,General and Helping
Admin, Basic IT skills - internet & email, Good IT Skills, Reading & Writing, Research
Our approach: Develop and promote a positive relationship with members – making people feel welcome and supported. Help build confidence and self-esteem – we aim to empower our members giving them support to do as much as they can, rather than doing for them. Essential Criteria Friendly and approachable. Reliable – keeping to agreed appointments and communicating if this is not possible. Basic IT skills (email, internet search and Word). Desirable Criteria Knowledge and skills in relation to gaining employment or volunteer roles. Excellent listening & communication skills - with an understanding presence.
- Develop people skills - Satisfaction of supporting people to improve their wellbeing, confidence and job opportunities - Travel expenses reimbursed
Once a week or once a fortnight. The Next Steps session takes place every Thursday at the VCH Office in Dalston, 10.30am-12.30pm. The shift for this role would be 10.15am – 12.45pm to allow for set up and clear up.
E8 2LY
Volunteer Centre Hackney, Unit 12-13, Springfield House, 5 Tyssen St, London
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