Role Title: Keeping in Touch (KIT) Volunteer Support Worker

Location: Across London

Purpose of the role

Keeping in Touch (KIT) is a telephone support and welfare service for people we support who live in London. KIT volunteers assist people we work with and help with our aim of supporting people to manage their tenancy and avoid a return to homelessness

What you will be doing

In this role, you will be supporting us with the following tasks:

• Make telephone welfare checks and provide tailored support to help clients sustain their tenancy and support them to be part of, and connect with, their local community
• Research information about local community groups, advice/support services, and other resources that can assist the people we support to resolve a problem or query
• Keep written records of the contact and conversation we have with people on an IT system, and ensure notes are well written and can be easily understood by others.
• Inform Thames Reach Staff of urgent concerns where someone may need additional support in person (from a staff member)
• Provide a professional and effective service to clients in line with Thames Reach policies.

When would you be needed and where would you be based

We expect volunteers to commit to a minimum of 4 hours per week for at least six months. Our volunteering hours are Monday – Friday, 10 am – 4 pm.

Once we have received your application, we will meet with you informally and give you more information on the location and time you will need to commit to the role.

What you can gain from this volunteering role

• Be able to use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others
• Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews
• Professional references after 3 months volunteering
• Mentoring and support from our Employment and Skills team
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression.

Training and support offered

• A role specific induction and trial shift so that you understand the role well
• Regular support and supervision from the Employment and Skills team to discuss how your volunteering is going and what other opportunities and training may be available to you
• Online or face-to-face instructor led training and e-learning modules to prepare you for your voluntary role
• Access to a range of additional e-learning courses as well as local opportunities for your personal and professional development
• Support from staff and peer support from fellow volunteers
• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses.

What we are looking for

– A friendly personality, good interpersonal skills, enthusiasm, and motivation

– Motivation to help people with support needs and who have lived experience of homelessness

– Good verbal and written communication skills

– Ability to listen and take a patient approach

– Ability to build trusting relationships with clients

– A problem-solving attitude

– Willingness to learn and develop within the role

– Motivation to support disadvantaged and vulnerable people

– Awareness and understanding of the need for professional boundaries and confidentiality

– To have the ability to follow Health and Safety regulations, Equal Opportunities and Diversity policy.

Minimum age: 18

Are references required: Yes. We will ask for two references, and this can be former employers or people that know you well (other than relatives).

Is there criminal record check required: Yes

How can I apply? Complete our online application form or contact us at volunteer@thamesreach.org.uk.

Apply today

Role Title: Keeping in Touch (KIT) Volunteer Support Worker

Location: Across London

Purpose of the role

Keeping in Touch (KIT) is a telephone support and welfare service for people we support who live in London. KIT volunteers assist people we work with and help with our aim of supporting people to manage their tenancy and avoid a return to homelessness

What you will be doing

In this role, you will be supporting us with the following tasks:

– Make telephone welfare checks and provide tailored support to help clients sustain their tenancy and         support them to be part of, and connect with, their local community

–  Research information about local community groups, advice/support services, and other resources            that can assist the people we support in resolving a problem or query

–   Keep written records of the contact and conversation we have with people on an IT system, and                   ensure  notes are well written and can be easily understood by others.

–  Inform Thames Reach Staff of urgent concerns where someone may need additional support in person     (from a staff member).

–  Provide a professional and effective service to clients in line with Thames Reach policies .

When would you be needed and where would you be based

We expect volunteers to commit to a minimum of 4 hours per week for at least six months. Our volunteering hours are Monday – Friday, 10am – 4pm.

Once we have received your application, we will meet with you informally and give you more information on the location and time you will need to commit to the role.

What you can gain from this volunteering role

– Be able to use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others

– Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews

– Professional references after 3 months volunteering

– Mentoring and support from our Employment and Skills team

– Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression.

Training and support offered

– A role specific induction and trial shift so that you understand the role well

– Regular support and supervision from the Employment and Skills team to discuss how your volunteering is going and what other opportunities and training may be available to you

– Online or face-to-face instructor led training and e-learning modules to prepare you for your voluntary role

– Access to a range of additional e-learning courses as well as local opportunities for your personal and professional development

– Support from staff and peer support from fellow volunteers

– Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses.

What we are looking for

– A friendly personality, good interpersonal skills, enthusiasm, and motivation

– Motivation to help people with support needs and who have lived experience of homelessness

– Good verbal and written communication skills

– Ability to listen and take a patient approach

– Ability to build trusting relationships with clients

– A problem-solving attitude

– Willingness to learn and develop within the role

– Motivation to support disadvantaged and vulnerable people

– Awareness and understanding of the need for professional boundaries and confidentiality

– To have the ability to follow Health and Safety regulations, Equal Opportunities and Diversity policy.

Minimum age: 18

Are references required: Yes. We will ask for two references, this can be former employers or people that know you well (other than relatives).

Is there criminal record check required: Yes

How can I apply? Complete our online application form or contact us at volunteer@thamesreach.org.uk.

Please note this is a volunteer role and does not form part of any contract of employment.

Apply today

ROLE PROFILE

Role Title: IHASS Digital skills volunteer

Location: Deptford

About Thames Reach

Thames Reach is a homelessness charity based in London, specialising in helping people with complex and multiple needs, including those associated with poor mental health and substance misuse. We manage a range of services, including street outreach, frontline hostels, day services, specialist supported housing and employment and skills schemes. Last year we helped more than 10,000 people.

Purpose of the role

Intensive housing and support service (IHASS) provide floating support service in Lewisham. IHASS digital skills volunteer will provide support and assistance to individuals who wish to learn or improve their skills using new technology to bid on properties on council websites, pay bills online and be more confident on a computer.

What you will be doing

In this role, you will be supporting us with the following tasks:

– Provide basic digital support and assistance to clients so they can use smart phone, tablet, laptop, computer effectively to pay bills online

– Supporting clients to bid properties on council websites and access Universal Credit journals online

– Supporting vulnerable adults to become more digitally fluent using social Apps such as Skype, Facebook, Emails, WhatsApp’s

– Work as part of IHASS team and maintain regular communication with clients and colleagues

– Provide a professional and effective service to clients in line with Thames Reach policies

When would you be needed and where would you be based

We expect volunteers to commit for 1-2 days per week for at least six months on Thursdays and Fridays. Our volunteering hours are 10am – 4pm.

Once we have received your application, we will meet with you informally and give you more information on the tasks involved and time you will need to commit to the role.

What you can gain from this volunteering role

– Be able to use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others

– Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews

– Professional references after 3 months volunteering

– Mentoring and support from our Employment and Skills team

– Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression.

Training and support offered

– A role specific induction and trial shift so that you understand the role well

– Regular support and supervision from the team to discuss how your volunteering is going and what other opportunities and training may be available to you

– Online or face-to-face instructor led training and e-learning modules to prepare you for your voluntary role

– Access to a range of additional e-learning courses as well as local opportunities for your personal and professional development

– Support from staff and peer support from fellow volunteers

– Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses.

What we are looking for

– A friendly personality, good interpersonal skills, enthusiasm, and motivation

– Ability to listen and be empathetic to build rapport with clients

– Motivation to support disadvantaged and vulnerable people

– Good verbal and written communication skills

– Willingness to learn and develop within the role

– Motivation to support disadvantaged and vulnerable people

– Awareness and understanding of the need for professional boundaries and confidentiality

– To have the ability to follow Health and Safety regulations, Equal Opportunities and Diversity policy.

Minimum age: 18

 Safer recruitment

Thames Reach undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. We take measures to make volunteering at Thames Reach a positive and safe experience.

Are references required: Yes. We will ask for two references, this can be former employers or people that know you well (other than relatives).

Is there criminal record check required: Yes

How can I apply? Complete our online application form or contact us at volunteer@thamesreach.org.uk.

Please note this is a volunteer role and does not form part of any contract of employment.

Apply today

20 May is Global Accessibility Awareness Day, which looks to increase awareness around issues of digital access and inclusion. At a time where we are particularly reliant on technology to keep us connected, it is a concern that ‘digital poverty’ is affecting people who do not have access to either a device, a computer or data. The support required must come from a place of understanding and patience, and Annabelle Ferary, who runs Thames Reach’s iReach project, helping people develop digital skills, is an expert at providing this.

“I’m Annabelle, a digital support worker within the Employment and Skills team.  I first started at Thames Reach in 2016 as volunteer; I was impressed with the wrap-around service that the Employment and Skills team were delivering, and this inspired me to take on a paid role to help people develop and utilise their IT and digital skills in Southwark.

“This also led me to take on a further role delivering IT skills within the iReach digital project, which has been funded by the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists for several years. I delivered this within community and housing settings, supporting clients across Thames Reach.

“iReach consists of on-going weekly classes for those who would like to improve their confidence with accessing the internet and other online services independently. For example, many of the people I work with face challenges of setting up and accessing email accounts, accessing their Universal Credit independently or completing job searches.  The importance of IT skills has grown significantly since I started running iReach; it is becoming increasingly important to gain digital skills within a supportive environment.

“Since the pandemic I had to adapt how I delivered iReach. For example, many did not have access to a device, laptop, tablet or smart phone and broadband due to limited income.  This meant delivering the sessions remotely, leading to clients feeling isolated and frustrated. Several attendees shared that they wanted to have classes face-to-face due to anxiety levels and lack of confidence using devices. Digital poverty is a serious issue in society today, even more now than five years ago when I started, especially for the cohort of people we work with.

“Many of the clients I have supported have gained the confidence to complete a range of accredited courses; a great deal have been successful in obtaining employment. It is an exciting time for digital skills; the need for them will only keep growing, now that so many programmes have moved online.”

Thames Reach recently featured on Hubbub’s podcast ‘Down to Earth’, which discusses digital isolation through lack of tech access. Alessy Beaver in the Employment and Skills team discusses the ‘Community Calling’ project with her client, Paul. It’s a lovely podcast with a powerful message, available on Spotify here.