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Volunteering

Life Skills Volunteer, Throughout Northern Ireland

Simon Community Northern Ireland

2.00
Every day, our volunteers end homelessness for someone. Could you join our team and help us create a society where everyone has a home?

As a Life Skills volunteer, you will play a key role in helping clients develop the vital skills which will enable and empower them to overcome the barriers associated with moving on to independent living.  

You could facilitate weekly cooking sessions which focus on healthy eating or cooking on a budget? Or maybe you could work with a client to develop their CV and interview skills and give them the confidence boost to seek employment?

How you will make an impact

As one of our Life Skills Volunteers you will have the opportunity to:

  • Motivate and encourage clients to participate in activities that will help them to develop life skills e.g. cooking, budget management and job skills.
  • Support clients to develop confidence and increase their self-esteem in a fun, welcoming and supportive environment.
  • Assist clients in setting goals and encouraging them to achieve these.

We’re with you every step of the way

As a Simon Community NI volunteer, you’ll receive excellent ongoing support from a supervisor, our Volunteer Coordinator and existing volunteers. Before beginning your volunteering, you will receive a full induction and any necessary training, ensuring you feel a valuable member of the team from the start.

In addition to this you will also have the opportunity to:

  • Be part of a team dedicated to ending homelessness.
  • Enhance your CV by using and developing your interpersonal and communication skills
  • Receive out of pocket expenses as outlined in our Volunteer Expenses Policy.

The skills and personality we are looking for

  • Previous experience of teaching others/ group facilitation would be beneficial but is by no means essential.
  • Motivation to support individuals who are experiencing homelessness
  • Able to work with people who may present with complex needs with sensitivity and respect.
  • An empathetic and non-judgemental outlook
  • Able to work in a team but also able to think on your feet
  • Able to encourage client-participation and involvement in activities.
  • Good communication and timekeeping skills

Your commitment

We are looking for someone who would be available for one session per week (2 – 3-hours), ideally for six months. There is flexibility for this role and we can discuss this further with you. 

We would also ask that you commit to the following:

  • Demonstrate Simon Community NI values of being non-judgmental and client-led.
  • Willingness to attend supervision and training to develop you further in your volunteer role.
  • Operate within all relevant Simon Community NI policies and guidelines, including safeguarding, health and safety, equal opportunities and confidentiality.

Essential checks we will need to complete with you

When you apply to volunteer with us, we will need to process some routine pre-volunteering checks. These will include an Enhanced Access NI check (free for all volunteers). For us to complete the check we will ask you to provide relevant documentation at your interview.

You will also be asked to provide two satisfactory references. Please note that unfortunately we cannot accept references from family members, or partners.

Ready to apply?

You can apply for this role online following the link below. Please make sure you complete all sections of your application form, giving as much detail as you can.

When you submit your application, we will be in touch with you with information on the next steps.  If you experience any problems with your application, please get in touch with us via email or phone.

Apply online

Please apply online at https://www.simoncommunity.org/get-involved/volunteer or contact our Volunteer Coordinator via [email protected]

Closing Date

Friday / 25 January 2019
4:00pm

Contact Details

Rebekah McDonald, Volunteer Coordinator

25 - 27 Franklin Street
Belfast
BT2 8DS
United Kingdom