HOURS: We ask volunteers to offer a minimum of one shift (4 hours) per week between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

DURATION: Volunteers will ideally commit to supporting us for at least six months following the training.

LOCATION: Embassy House, Queen’s Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1SA

Purpose: 

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

What is the Freedom Programme?

The Freedom Programme is an educational programme 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.

Tasks:

• To help complete Referral Forms for the Freedom Programme and other programmes.
• To carry out an initial assessment of 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.

 Person Specification

• 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 an ability and willingness to adhere to strict confidentiality and safeguarding procedures.
• You will ideally have some experience of taking part in or supporting group programmes.

If you are unsure about applying because you don’t meet all the criteria, please get in touch with the Volunteer and Events Coordinator on [email protected] for an informal chat about the role and your experience.

Benefits of the role:

• A sense of making a real difference to the lives of women who have experienced domestic abuse.
• You will be part of a team of talented and interesting people at Next Link.
• You will use, develop and gain a range of skills and competencies particularly communication, team-work and administration.
• You will 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 travel expenses.
• Ability to apply for internally advertised job roles.
• Access to internal training.
• Opportunities to attend social events with other volunteers.

Training and support:

You will receive an induction which will provide information about the organisation and the services we provide, as well as the importance of confidentiality, safeguarding, and 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 the Volunteer and Events Coordinator.

Time and duration

• We ask volunteers to offer a minimum of one shift (4 hours) per week between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
• Volunteers will ideally commit to supporting us for at least six months following the training.

 Details:

Please note we will require all volunteers to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check – this will not incur a cost for the volunteer.

We also require all staff and volunteers to sign a confidentiality agreement to ensure client privacy and safety.

If you have any questions surrounding the organisation, voluntary roles or application process, please contact the Volunteer and Events Coordinator by email on [email protected] or by phone on 0117 925 1811.