Role Resource Centre Assistant

Volunteer Role Profile

Role summary Assisting the advice team by supporting the operation of Shelter’s Blackburn office in their day to day business.

Suggested Involvement Half a day or one day per week minimum suggested for around 6 months initially, but this is flexible

Supervised by Team Leader

Why get involved with Shelter?

More than one million people a year come to us for advice and support via our website, help lines, and national network of services. We help people to find and keep a home in a place where they can thrive, and we tackle the root causes of bad housing by campaigning for new laws, policies and practice.

Main Tasks

· Shadowing Advice/Case workers

· Meeting and greeting clients

· Giving out information and leaflets and supporting clients to use our website

· ‘Signposting’ people to other services if we are unable to help

· Updating and maintaining our agencies database

· General basic admin, such as photocopying, scanning, creating client files and filing

· Inputting information on to our case management system

· Assisting Clients with form filling

· Support Clients to use Choice Based Lettings systems

Skills and Abilities Required

· Experience of working with the public

· Interest in social welfare law e.g. housing; welfare benefits; debt; community care

· Effective communication skills and the ability to understand the needs of our customers

· Ability to organise your own work, manage your time and work on your own initiative

· Ability to use computers and programs such as Word and Excel

· Willingness to follow Shelter’s policies, including volunteering, health & safety, equality diversity confidentiality

Induction, Learning & Development

To enable you take part in this opportunity Shelter will

· Provide a volunteer pack including a Handbook and all Policies and Procedures

· Provide a personalised volunteering plan, covering support and development

· Provide e-learning: Equality & Diversity, Health and Safety, Data Protection, Case Management System

· Provide relevant training, coaching and shadowing to enable you to fulfil your role

· Reimburse “out of pocket” expenses in line with Shelter’s volunteer expenses policy

Benefits of Volunteering with Shelter

· Supporting and learning about the work of a large national charity

· Developing transferable skills

· Enhances your CV, we can help you to update this and will provide references when you leave our services

This is a voluntary position that supports the work of our services and is not replacing the work of a paid member of staff. This role description does not form part of any contract of employment.