Sunderland Support and Progression Volunteer (SVP)

As a Support and Progression Volunteer (SPV) you’ll be part of the team that supports young people in one of our accommodation services.

You will contribute to creating a friendly and welcoming atmosphere within one of our hostels, dealing with enquiries, and provide access, information and contribute to support for residents.

You will be supporting the housing staff to run a tight ship, helping with the day-to-day tasks and activities involved in running a Centrepoint service.

For this particular role we’re seeking a volunteer with child development, family support or midwifery experience/specialism.

CORE TASKS

• Being a first point of contact for young people and visitors
• Supporting residents’ meetings
• Management of ingress/egress to the property, ensuring that only young people and visitors known to the service are allowed in/out
• Managing in/out post and distribution of post to appropriate people
• Managing appointments for young people, including issuing appropriate reminders to them
• Administration duties e.g. letters to young people, Housing Benefit claims, supporting with reports and meeting notes, file maintenance, managing young people’s appointments, collecting service charges
• Health and Safety – joint inspections with staff and ensuring electronic and hard copy systems are in place
• Researching information such as job opportunities, training and apprenticeship courses for and with young people
• Young people consultation work (supporting residents meetings, organising surveys)
• Young people activities coordination – supporting the setting up/access to, or facilitating activities for the young people to participate within the service or in the local area
• Using personal specialist knowledge and skills to assist and support delivery
• Work cooperatively with other staff and volunteers
• Observe and adhere to Centrepoint policies relevant to the team and be familiar with emergency procedures in case of fire, serious accident or violence.

Skills

ESSENTIAL

• Ability to communicate confidently and clearly with young people, other volunteers and staff
• Ability to remain calm when involved with challenging indviiduals and situations
• Understanding of the issues – practical and emotional – facing young people
• Understanding of the importance of teamwork and a strong commitment to being part of a team
• Ability to develop a rapport with young people
• Good communication skills, written and oral-good telephone manner
• Able to use Microsoft Office
• A commitment to demonstrating Centrepoint’s values
• A commitment to complete the necessary volunteer training sessions

DESIRABLE

• Understanding of mental health and resilience to cope with a range of individualised coping mechanisms and outbursts
• Knowledge of provisional local to the service the role is based within
• Skills and confidence with supporting independent living skills, e.g. managing money, shopping on a budget, cooking