Navigation

► Support Volunteer

Crisis is the national charity for single homeless people. We are dedicated to ending homelessness by delivering life changing services and campaigning for change. Our innovative education, employment, housing and well-being services address individual needs and help homeless people to transform their lives

Crisis Skylight Newcastle is one of our award winning and accredited education, training and employment centres. Here we offer practical and creative workshops in a supportive and inspiring environment together with formal learning opportunities that lead to qualifications and finding work. The wide range of courses, including art, music, drama, literacy, sports and IT help people restore their wellbeing, regain confidence, build their basic skills and raise their aspirations.

Recruitment and screening process for volunteers:
Initial Enquiry > Application Form> Interview > References> Induction (some roles require CRB checks where the volunteer will be lone working)

CRB required: some roles require enhanced CRB checks if the volunteer is lone working with a vulnerable adult.

Times you can volunteer (Morning, afternoon, evening): Depends on role – can be morning, afternoon or evening

Description of role:
• Classroom assistance roles in which volunteers have the opportunity of supporting people one-on-one in their learning.
• Member support roles - support with housing bidding, employability, as well as supporting members into sessions.
• Miscellaneous roles and new roles that come up all the time
• Employment Mentoring - These can be either specific employability mentors, specific to the area of employment that a member wants to move into.
• General mentors - Supporting members with their specific targets and their move towards greater independence
• Liaison roles – Helping us engage and encourage new members to access our service by liaising with other organisation’s within the city.

Specific skills required:

- Patience
- Non judgemental
- Enthusiastic
- An understanding of homelessness is desirable
- Good interpersonal skills are important for many roles

Pre-placement requirements: (i.e. training (number of hours, specific times i.e. weekend), meeting with supervisor, references):
The volunteer will be required to commit to at least 2 – 3 hours per week.

Before starting the placement the volunteer will meet with their supervisor and the volunteer coordinator.

References are required before a volunteer placement can begin

Specific training may be involved in certain roles. General training around understanding homelessness will be delivered once a quarter and made available to all volunteers.