Volunteer Support Worker

The Clock Tower Sanctuary (CTS) is the only drop-in day centre for young people in Brighton experiencing homelessness. We provide practical and emotional support to 16-to-25-year-olds who are experiencing homelessness, so they can move from crisis to stability. We work to prevent young people from becoming part of the long-term homeless population. To achieve this, we provide our clients with a safe space in central Brighton to use during the day along with life skills, confidence-building activities and support them to find housing, work, training and other opportunities. CTS is a place where they can escape some of the pressures of their living situations, and can access showers, food, laundry facilities and one to one case working support. Our volunteers are vital to the delivery of our work and are instrumental to the day to day running of the Centre, providing support, advocacy and a friendly welcome to the young people who use our service.

We are currently seeking to diversify our volunteer base to better represent our clients' varied backgrounds.

Benefits

• Transferable skills and experience of working with young people with complex needs.
• Free training opportunities.
• Working with a friendly team of staff and volunteers.

Practical Considerations

• All out of pocket expenses paid (including travel to and from the Centre).
• Must be able to commit to one day per week.
• Centre of Brighton.
• No wheelchair access.  
• All volunteers have to undertake a DBS check.
• and mandatory training before they are able to start volunteering.

  Support Disabled

We compete an accessibility passport for anyone who needs it and are able to tailor tasks according to do need.

What skills do I need?

Essential:

•  Able to commit to a minimum of six months volunteering (with some flexibility)
•  Can do at least one full shift, one day per week (Mon to Sat)
•  Attend the initial volunteer induction training process
•  Have empathy with the needs of young people who are homeless
•  Effective communication and interpersonal skills
•  Understand and practice commitment to Equality and Diversity
•  Ability to maintain safe personal boundaries and confidentiality
•  Ability to work as a team and support colleagues
•  A good sense of humour, and ability to multitask and flex in a pressurised environment
•  A commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

Desirable (training will be provided)

• Experience working with vulnerable people and those with challenging behaviours
• Basic Microsoft Excel and Word skills.