Residential Support Volunteer in Bristol (Criminal Justice)

Residential Support Volunteer in Bristol (Criminal Justice)

Posted by Interventions Alliance

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Our Volunteer Programme provides a support service to Women who have recently left prison and are accommodated in one of our residential settings.  

You will be required to build trusting and respectful relationships with residents living at the premises, to ensure they can build confidence and re-build their lives for a promising future. This involves working directly with clients and staff to ensure the most effective support is being provided for clients. 

The role involves supporting the team in providing group and individual sessions for individuals through activities or one to one mentoring. It also includes supporting clients with sign posting around any life challenges such as financial, housing, benefits, employment.  

The role is fast paced with a range of opportunities for training and development, such as developing skills working with client groups around safeguarding, mental health and Domestic abuse. 

This is a rewarding role, with many positive outcomes for those living at an IA premises. In return for your volunteering efforts, we offer specialised training, paid expenses, and high level of support and supervision from a Volunteer Coordinator. Additionally, you will also gain insight into the Survivor services and an opportunity to engage with and shadow industry professionals.  

KEY REQUIREMENT: Due to the gender specific nature of this role, applications can only be accepted from women candidates. Gender is considered to be a genuine occupational requirement in accordance with paragraph 1 of Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010. 

Benefits to Volunteers 

Skill Development: Gain hands-on experience in working along side criminal justice services. 

Professional Growth: Gain experience developing unique experiences and developing professional contacts. 

Impactful Work: Contribute to supporting individuals and families improve their lives and enable them to move on with confidence and resilience.  

Training Provided 

Initial Training: Training led by the Volunteer team and BCSSU department of behavior change, covering safeguarding, mentoring skills, Refuge induction. Specialized training related to approved activity 

Ongoing Support: Regular check-ins and support sessions to ensure volunteers are confident and effective in their roles. 

Professional Development: Access to workshops relevant to the role. 

Commitment 

Located in or near the Bristol area

Hours: Minimum of 4 hours per week, with flexibility based on volunteer availability and participant needs. 

Duration: Minimum commitment of 12 months to ensure consistency and reliability in feedback collection. 

What skills do I need?

Ability to listen effectively and communicate with others  

Ability to keep commitments and/or appointments  

Ability to use own initiative to identify and access relevant resources  

Share information appropriately within boundaries of confidentiality  

Capacity to understand and work within necessary guidance to ensure both yourself and the participant understand your professional relationship.  

Ability to demonstrate positive behavior providing a good role model to participants through pro-social modelling.   

Be non-judgmental, open minded and self-aware  

Knowledge of basic IT skills  

Ability to encourage and allow people to make their own choices and decisions