Group Work Volunteer

Purpose:

To ensure that women who have experienced domestic abuse can access group work programmes, such the Freedom Programme and Breaking the Chains, quickly and efficiently.

What are the Programmes?

They are educational programmes for survivors of domestic abuse, giving them the opportunity to further their understanding of abusive behaviours, how it affects us and what healthy relationships look like. The support they receive in the group can be invaluable in terms of understanding what has happened to them and that they are not alone, and the ability to move forward and have healthy relationships in future. Next Link also runs Recovery Toolkit for women who have left the relationship, peer support groups and CRUSH for young people.

Benefits of the role:

• A sense of making a real difference to the lives of women within the largest provider of women’s services in Bristol, South Glos. and North Somerset
• Be part of a team of talented and interesting people at Next Link.
• To use, develop and gain a range of skills and competencies particularly communication, team-work and administration.
• Receive ongoing training and support to ensure you are confident and happy in your role, including induction, on-going support and potential opportunities for development
• Re-imbursement for reasonable expenses.
• Ability to apply for internally advertised job roles.

Tasks:

• To help complete Referral Forms for the Freedom Programme, Breaking the Chains and other programmes.
• To review/assess the client’s situation and refer on to Next Link Duty Team where needed
• Contacting Next Link support workers where needed
• Keeping accurate records of client contact
• To help with ad-hoc administrative tasks in relation to the running of group work programmes.  
• Upon completion of trial period: opportunity to be actively involved in the group work by supporting the group facilitator.
•  Collecting feedback from participants.
•  To take part in events that may occur across Next link North Somerset or any volunteering opportunity that may arise (for example practical support with the safe houses)

Person Specification:

Skills:

• You will be experienced in having one to one contact with vulnerable persons.
• You will be confident in phoning clients
• You will be a patient and empathetic individual with excellent communication and active listening skills.
• You will have a non-judgemental approach and a commitment/passion for supporting women with experience of domestic abuse.
• You will have strong organisation and administrative skills.
• Ability and willingness to adhere to strict confidentiality and safeguarding procedures.
• Ideally some experience of taking part in or supporting group programmes (non-essential).

Training and support:

You will receive an induction to cover everything you need to know about the organisation and client group. You will be trained on the importance of confidentiality and safeguarding as well as professional boundaries. You will also be required to complete Safeguarding Adults Foundation training (around half a day).

During your volunteering you will always be supervised by a member of staff so support is available at all times. You will also have regular one to ones with your supervisor and the opportunity to discuss any issues or concerns with the volunteer co-ordinator.

The Commitment and Duration:

• Volunteers will offer a minimum of one shift 4-hour shift per week.
• Volunteers will ideally commit to supporting us for at least 6 months following training to ensure that they are able to engage with staff, undertake meaningful supervision as well as effectively promote the service.