Aila Gambling Harm Volunteer

Within this exciting new role you will be joining our team to support women experiencing gambling harms within the Aila Project (aila-scotland.co.uk). This role will involve working directly with women to provide access to trauma-informed care and support. Aila is a website that has been developed for women who are impacted by gambling (their own or someone else’s). This service will work in partnership with other agencies supporting women to access support regarding gambling, health, housing, welfare and overall wellbeing, as well as providing information sharing opportunities through psychosocial group spaces. This role offers an opportunity to foster a supportive community where women can come together, access essential services, and embark on a journey of healing and empowerment.

Our small team of dedicated workers and volunteers are committed to ensuring that women receive the best support possible. Aila is not only an online digital space where women can access information and support, but it is also a community space that aims to provide an environment where all women can come together, learn, laugh, and ultimately, connect. Volunteering with us you will never have a dull day, and our passion for empowering women is contagious. Join Aila’s community and be part of a transformative journey that makes a real difference in the lives of women in our community.

Specific Tasks

• Co-facilitating and coordinating group activities, workshops, and support groups.
• Creating a safe space for women to share experiences, build connections, learn new skills, and support one another.
• Developing honest and open relationships with our community that foster trust.
• Advocating for women's rights and access to services within the community.
• Providing information, referrals, and support to connect women with appropriate community resources and services.
• Upholding a welcoming and inclusive environment that will ensure psychological and physical safety for women.
• Complete all administration that’s associated with Aila, such as recording data from group session outcomes and monitoring information.

Skills and Qualities Required

• Have the ability to work with people in our community with a wide range of experiences and cultural backgrounds with dignity, respect and kindness.
• Work as part of a team with a range of experiences and knowledge to the benefit of our community.
• Be able to approach your volunteering role and tasks with flexibility.
• Have good communication and people skills.
• Be committed to a high level of people support – experience of dealing with the public both in person and on the telephone would be beneficial.
• Be creative and enjoy using your own passions, interests and talents to bring to your role with Aila!

Commitment

We welcome volunteers to stay with us and continue to help us make a difference in people’s lives. 12 months would be the ideal minimum but we respect your time and commitments elsewhere. For this role we ask for a minimum of 6 months. Our recruitment follows the Safer Recruitment process, which means giving consideration to safeguarding arrangements at every step. We will ask you to attend an informal interview, provide us with two references and attend our Mini IMPACT training – a shortened version of our dynamic 5-day staff programme.

Support and Training

A full and comprehensive induction is provided for this role. In-role training is available – we value our volunteers and want to ensure you are equipped with the skills you need to fulfil your role. Simon Community Scotland together with Volunteer Scotland and Disclosure Scotland will support you with the required PVG process.

What’s in it for me?

For as little as 2 hours a week you have the chance to meet new people and be part of an amazing team who are passionate about what they do. Everything we do is about and for people: the people we support, our staff, our partners and everyone affected by homelessness. Each person involved brings their individual skills and creativity to the work we do. This is a chance for you to make a real difference to the most vulnerable people within your community and pick up essential skills that are valuable to employers.

Our expectations

We need people who care about people and who are enthusiastic and able to respond flexibly to a role that can sometimes be challenging, but brings great rewards and satisfaction. We need you to be fully committed to Simon Community Scotland’s Mission and Core Values and adhere to our policies/procedures and Code of Practice.