At a Glance
- Tasks: Support daily operations, provide customer service, and assist with centre activities.
- Company: Join the St Vincent de Paul Society, a mission-driven charity making a difference.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, professional development opportunities, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are at our core; we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in your community while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Strong customer service skills and ability to work in a busy environment.
The predicted salary is between 26227 - 26227 £ per year.
Vacancy Type Full Time / Permanent Location St Vincent's Centre Newcastle, New Bridge Street, Newcastle, NE1 2TQ Salary £26,227.50 Application Deadline Sunday, August 30, 2026 Job Advert
About the Role
- 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday)
- As a
Centre Assistant , you will play an important role in supporting the day-to-day operation of the centre.
You will provide excellent customer service to visitors, clients, volunteers, and external partners, while assisting with centre activities, donations, administrative tasks, and volunteer support.
This is a varied and hands-on role requiring strong communication skills, organisation, and a commitment to delivering a welcoming and supportive environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Respond to general enquiries from customers, clients, managers, suppliers, and external agencies.
- Process requests for support within the centre, including food parcels, hampers, and other assistance.
- Collect, sort, and safely store donations in an organised manner.
- Welcome visitors, clients, volunteers, and contractors, ensuring appropriate sign-in procedures are followed and Health & Safety information is communicated.
- Support the planning, organisation, and delivery of centre activities and sessions.
- Assist with the training, support, and supervision of volunteers.
- Provide support within the café as required.
- Promote the centre and share information about services and activities locally and nationally.
- Undertake a range of administrative duties, including data entry, word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, photocopying, filing, shredding, and report preparation.
- Help maintain the cleanliness, presentation, and general upkeep of the centre.
- Maintain confidentiality and discretion when handling information relating to staff, clients, customers, and volunteers.
- Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, operational standards, and SVP policies and procedures.
- Contribute to creating a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environment for all centre users.
Essential Criteria
- Strong customer service experience.
- Experience working in a busy environment with changing priorities and demands.
- Good understanding of safeguarding principles and Health & Safety requirements.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including written, verbal, telephone, and face-to-face communication.
- Ability to build positive relationships with a wide range of people.
- Ability to work independently using your own initiative, as well as collaboratively within a team.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workloads and meet deadlines.
- Excellent listening skills and a commitment to treating all people with dignity and respect.
- Self-motivated with a positive, proactive, and professional approach.
- Commitment to and understanding of the values and ethos of the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP).
Desirable Criteria
- GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths.
- Full UK driving licence.
- Experience working within a charity or voluntary sector environment.
- Experience recruiting, training, or supervising volunteers.
- Experience supporting vulnerable individuals, including people experiencing homelessness.
- Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications.
- Understanding of and experience working with the Deaf community.
- Strong networking and community engagement skills.
- Ability to promote services and build awareness of the centre within the local community.
- DBS Requirement
This role is subject to a DBS check.
From time to time, the postholder may undertake regulated activities on behalf of the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP), including:
- Recruitment and management of volunteers aged 14 to 18.
- Regular (more than three times per month) unsupervised teaching, training, instruction, supervision, guidance, or wellbeing support provided to children.
- Activities that constitute regulated activity under current safeguarding legislation.
- As a result, this role is eligible for an
Enhanced DBS Disclosure with a Children's Barred List check .
Why Join Us?
You’ll be part of a supportive, mission-driven team committed to making a difference in communities across the UK.
We offer flexible working, opportunities for professional development, and a chance to contribute to meaningful projects.
- Key Dates & Additional Info
- Interviews: 7th September 2026
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
Whilst we ask that staff have sympathy with Christian values, we celebrate and value people of all faiths or none - diversity and inclusion are at the heart of who we are.
About the SVP
The St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) has been a beacon of hope since 1844, part of a vibrant international Christian movement working in 153 countries.
We are dedicated to tackling poverty in all its forms by offering practical, person-to-person support to those in need.
Our mission is rooted in dignity, compassion, and respect - serving anyone, regardless of faith, race, gender, or background.
Join us in making a real difference - your skills could help transform lives.
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Centre Assistant in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: SVP
St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) Middlesbrough Central Council is an exceptional employer that values flexibility and community engagement, making it an ideal place for those passionate about social impact. With a supportive work culture that encourages personal growth and development, employees benefit from remote working options and a commitment to meaningful outreach initiatives. Join us in making a difference while enjoying a balanced work-life environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Centre Assistant in Newcastle upon Tyne
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by SVP.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like SVP.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at SVP.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at SVP. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Centre Assistant in Newcastle upon Tyne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of SVP. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Centre Assistant, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at SVP
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of SVP. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
