At a Glance
- Tasks: Support homeless individuals in a busy Day Centre, providing essential services and emotional support.
- Company: Join a dedicated team at the heart of Southampton's homeless community, making a real impact.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, develop skills, and work in a supportive, collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Make a difference every day while working in a dynamic and fulfilling role.
- Qualifications: No prior experience needed, just a passion for helping vulnerable people and a positive attitude.
- Other info: Enhanced DBS check required; flexible hours available.
Volunteer Role
Volunteers for any hours, Monday to Friday during staffed hours of 8.30am to 3.00pm
Volunteers can do as many or as little per week as they wish within the staffed hours above
Can be helping in kitchen (only after training) or in general D/C duties, courtyard, laundry, chatting with clients, helping serve tea/coffee/meals, tidy, take general phone calls, give general advice and signpost, help set up and run community/client events e.g. Christmas party
JOB PURPOSE
Are you looking for a challenge where you are able to support the team to empower people every day to develop their skills and move towards independence? Do you enjoy working in an environment where every day is different to the next? Then this could be the role for you.
You will be working as part of a team at our Day Centre to support clients who are homeless or are in unstable accommodation.
You will love helping others, including clients and the staff team. Your positive attitude towards everyday tasks and towards others will help to contribute to a great working environment. You will have a calm and personable manner and be able to handle potentially difficult situations with support from the staff team.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide a welcoming environment for rough sleepers and those facing homelessness or who are living in unstable accommodation
- Provide sound knowledge of local services; signpost and refer clients as their needs are identified
- Have a sound working knowledge of professional safeguarding responsibilities, raise any concerns with the day centre team without delay
- Maintain the day centre’s daily facilities including laundry and cleaning and gardening
- Provide practical support to clients in the Hub accommodation, including preparing rooms and welfare packs
- Manage donations efficiently
- Respond immediately to health and safety concerns, reporting to the day centre team
- Manage difficult situations with clients, ensuring that they feel listened too at all times
- Practice in a non-discriminative and person centred approach,
- Provide emotional support and remain resilient to high emotions, especially in times of conflict
- Recognising physiological needs of the clients
- Any other reasonable duties required in the interest of the organisation
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA FOR ROLE (Minimum requirements on appointment to this job)
Previous experience in this sector is not essential but you will be able to demonstrate a real passion for wanting to work with vulnerable people in the homeless sector. Our values will be aligned to your own ethics and ideals and you will be committed to changing the life of others for the better.
- Clear verbal and written English
- Polite, assertive manner, ability to self -motivate
- Passion for working in a client/customer facing role
- Knowledge of the benefits system and tenancy legislation
- Have an interest and genuine concern for homelessness and related issues
- Knowledge of voluntary and statutory agencies
- Flexible approach to what is required from the role
We reserve the right to close our adverts early if a successful candidate is found, so please submit your application as soon as possible.
Two Saints is committed to safeguarding and safer recruitment. We carry out pre–employment checks such as DBS checks, Overseas police checks (where appropriate), reference checks, and CV gap querying for all new staff members.
Volunteer employer: Two Saints
Contact Detail:
Two Saints Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Volunteer
✨Tip Number 1
Show your passion for helping vulnerable people by sharing personal experiences or motivations during your conversations. This will help you connect with the team and demonstrate that you truly care about making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with local services and resources related to homelessness in Southampton. Being knowledgeable about these services will not only impress the team but also show your commitment to supporting clients effectively.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss how you would handle difficult situations with clients. Think of examples where you've shown resilience and empathy, as this role requires a calm and personable approach in challenging circumstances.
✨Tip Number 4
Emphasise your flexibility and willingness to take on various tasks. The role involves a range of responsibilities, so showing that you're adaptable and ready to support wherever needed will make you a strong candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace Volunteer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read through the job description carefully to understand the responsibilities and requirements. Highlight your passion for working with vulnerable people and how your values align with the organisation's mission.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects relevant experiences, even if they are not directly in the homeless sector. Emphasise any volunteer work, customer service roles, or experiences that showcase your ability to support others.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that expresses your genuine interest in the role. Share personal anecdotes or experiences that demonstrate your commitment to helping those in need and your understanding of homelessness issues.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, double-check your application for spelling and grammatical errors. Ensure that your written English is clear and professional, as this reflects your communication skills.
How to prepare for a job interview at Two Saints
✨Show Your Passion for Helping Others
Make sure to express your genuine interest in working with vulnerable people. Share any relevant experiences or motivations that drive you to support those facing homelessness, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Since the role involves working closely with a collaborative team, highlight your ability to work well with others. Provide examples of how you've contributed to a team environment in the past and how you can support both clients and colleagues.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about how you would handle difficult situations with clients. Think of examples where you've managed conflict or provided emotional support, and be ready to discuss your approach to maintaining a calm and supportive atmosphere.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Local Services
Research local services related to homelessness and support systems. Being knowledgeable about these resources will show your commitment to helping clients find the right path and demonstrate your proactive approach to the role.