Volunteer Hub
Morning Support Session Volunteer (8:45am - 12:30)
Organisation Details
Barnabus
Activity type: Advice, Information and Support, Counselling and Listening, Drugs, Alcohol and Addictions, Homeless and Housing, Mental Health, Prisoners and Ex-Offenders
Sub theme: Asylum Seekers and Refugees, Drugs, Alcohol and Addictions, Health and Wellbeing, Homeless and Housing, Mental Health
Stellify Award: This opportunity is part of 'Make a Difference'
Organisation Description: Barnabus is a Christian Homeless Charity based in Manchester. We started with just one man walking the streets, giving out food and drink to the homeless.
We now offer a lifeline to people experiencing Homelessness each week, many of whom have severe addictions or mental health issues. We support their physical, emotional and spiritual needs and do all we can to help them get back into mainstream society.
Our project includes a support centre open 5 days a week offering help with benefits, accommodation referrals, access to medical support including mental health services and recovery groups, plus we serve food, clothing, and showers.
We work long term with our clients as they move off the streets and on into accommodation and ultimately into their own private tenancy, we have a resettlement worker who works with our clients in order to help them re integrate back into society.
We now offer a lifeline to people experiencing Homelessness each week, many of whom have severe addictions or mental health issues. We support their physical, emotional and spiritual needs and do all we can to help them get back into mainstream society.
Our project includes a support centre open 5 days a week offering help with benefits, accommodation referrals, access to medical support including mental health services and recovery groups, plus we serve food, clothing, and showers.
We work long term with our clients as they move off the streets and on into accommodation and ultimately into their own private tenancy, we have a resettlement worker who works with our clients in order to help them re integrate back into society.
Description of role: Barnabus Support Centre supports individuals experiencing homelessness in Manchester. Our support session opens for guests from 9:15am - 12 noon. We ask volunteers to arrive for 8:45am and you will be finished by 12:30pm. In the support session staff will engage with guests to provide accommodation support and referrals, benefits advise, signposting and other referrals. Our volunteers allow us to complete this work by providing the practical support for guests and chatting and engaging with them. There are a number of practical volunteer roles:
Volunteering In the kitchen:
• Simple preparation of hot food and drinks
• Taking food orders and serving food and drink to our guests
• Safe handling and storage of food
• Washing up and cleaning the food preparation area and dining room throughout the session
• Cleaning the support centre after the session is complete
• Chatting to guests and generally making them feel welcome
• Additional training will be provided if you would like to complete triage assessments when new guests arrive
Volunteering in the Clothing Store:
- guests who have slept outside will book to get a shower and clean clothing and toiletries
- volunteers will be based in the clothing store, providing guests with clean clothing, toiletries and towels
- Engage with guests in a dignified and supportive way to ensure they have the provisions they need
- clean the showers after each use
- keep the clothing store tidy and stocked throughout the session and restocking at the end of the session
- Ensure the bathrooms are safe and clean throughout the session and cleaned down after the session
-Training and cleaning PPE will be provided
Required strengths for this role:
You don’t need any special skills to volunteer for this role, but you do need the following:
• Compassionate nature
• Non-judgmental and non-discriminatory attitude
• Ability to communicate effectively with a range of people from different backgrounds
• Ability to work both as part of a team and on your own initiative
• Patience
• Flexibility, Punctuality and reliability
• Desire to make a positive difference in the lives of our guests
• Willingness to carry out cleaning and other basic tasks as required for the safe and effective running of the session
• Willingness to attend training as required for you to properly carry out your role
• Prior experience working or volunteering with people experiencing homelessness, or issues with mental health or substance misuse, or a good understanding of these issues, is an advantage
Volunteers in all roles need to comply with the terms of the volunteer agreement and to carry out their role in accordance with the training that we provide and the direction of the session leader.
Volunteers need to be aware that Barnabus is a Christian charity. Whilst we do not expect volunteers or staff to be Christian or to actively participate in any Christian activities, we do ask that you are respectful of our beliefs and that you join us for a short prayer at the start of each session.
Volunteering In the kitchen:
• Simple preparation of hot food and drinks
• Taking food orders and serving food and drink to our guests
• Safe handling and storage of food
• Washing up and cleaning the food preparation area and dining room throughout the session
• Cleaning the support centre after the session is complete
• Chatting to guests and generally making them feel welcome
• Additional training will be provided if you would like to complete triage assessments when new guests arrive
Volunteering in the Clothing Store:
- guests who have slept outside will book to get a shower and clean clothing and toiletries
- volunteers will be based in the clothing store, providing guests with clean clothing, toiletries and towels
- Engage with guests in a dignified and supportive way to ensure they have the provisions they need
- clean the showers after each use
- keep the clothing store tidy and stocked throughout the session and restocking at the end of the session
- Ensure the bathrooms are safe and clean throughout the session and cleaned down after the session
-Training and cleaning PPE will be provided
Required strengths for this role:
You don’t need any special skills to volunteer for this role, but you do need the following:
• Compassionate nature
• Non-judgmental and non-discriminatory attitude
• Ability to communicate effectively with a range of people from different backgrounds
• Ability to work both as part of a team and on your own initiative
• Patience
• Flexibility, Punctuality and reliability
• Desire to make a positive difference in the lives of our guests
• Willingness to carry out cleaning and other basic tasks as required for the safe and effective running of the session
• Willingness to attend training as required for you to properly carry out your role
• Prior experience working or volunteering with people experiencing homelessness, or issues with mental health or substance misuse, or a good understanding of these issues, is an advantage
Volunteers in all roles need to comply with the terms of the volunteer agreement and to carry out their role in accordance with the training that we provide and the direction of the session leader.
Volunteers need to be aware that Barnabus is a Christian charity. Whilst we do not expect volunteers or staff to be Christian or to actively participate in any Christian activities, we do ask that you are respectful of our beliefs and that you join us for a short prayer at the start of each session.
Skills / qualities associated with the role: Customer Service, Oral Communication Skills, Practical Skills, Team Working
Are volunteer expenses available?: Yes
Duration of role: Ongoing / Long term
Opportunity times: Monday AM, Tuesday AM, Wednesday AM, Thursday AM
DBS required: On
Can reasonable adjustments be made regarding additional needs?: Yes
Is this organisation part of the Sports Volunteering Scheme (SVS)?: No
Minimum hours commitment: 3.5 hours week
Location:
45 Bloom St
Manchester
M1 3LY