Volunteering Vacancies

• Understanding the circumstances of people we support and how this role contributes to their success.
• Helping people to understand their goals, options, and possible next steps
• Offering guidance, support, encouragement, and a safe space for people to discuss their personal and development needs and how to progress to meet them.
• Jointly agreeing tasks and actions to undertake between 1-to-1 meetings.
• Providing active support as necessary, such as reviewing documentation, responding to email, signposting where to find useful resources, networking connections; etc.
• In conjunction with your mentee, producing mentor updates, sharing progress, and identifying any significant challenges where additional Depaul UK support is needed.
• Sharing relevant learning, materials and useful resources that may benefit Depaul clients and our work.
• If desired, contributing to other areas of Depaul UK’s work and community as opportunities arise.

• Building trust with young people from a range of backgrounds – mentoring skills, great communicator, positive, encouraging, able to give and receive constructive corrective feedback and reinforce learning and progress.
• Being a role model with experience or a growth and progress story that young people can relate to.
• Experience of job searches, application process, interview experiences

Support and supervision

The mentor will be line managed by a member of the Steps to Success team, and supported also by Depaul UK’s Volunteer team.

Induction and training

All mentors with receive an induction to Depaul UK and an induction to specific to your mentor role

Commitment

Flexible. A minimum of 1 hour per month. This could be evenings/daytime/weekends to suit both mentor and mentee.

If you have not been an active in your mentoring role for 3 months we will contact you to see if you wish to continue and if you have not been active for 6 months your role will be ended.  You could then re-apply for any volunteering at Depaul again going through the full volunteer recruitment process.

• Travel expenses to and from the project, travel between projects, and all genuine out-of-pocket expenses, are reimbursed.
• While volunteering at the project, volunteers have full liability insurance cover.
• There are appreciation events to recognise the important contribution that volunteers make
• Personal & professional development through training, support and ongoing evaluation
• Depaul can provide a reference after 6 months active continuous volunteering
• Contribute to a project that really does make a difference to the lives of young people.

THE DISCLOSURE & BARRING SERVICE – DISCLOSURE

Depaul UK aims to promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential. Depaul UK welcomes applications from diverse candidates. Criminal records will be taken into account for requirement purposes only when the conviction is relevant.

As Depaul UK meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013) by SI 2013 1198’.  All applicants who are offered volunteering may be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure & Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed

• Project planning – work alongside Depaul UK staff to identify gardening projects that align with the needs and priorities of our accommodation facilities. Support with the development of project plans, including timelines, material and costings lists and safety protocols.
• Skills training – provide guidance and support to corporate volunteers, including briefing them on gardening techniques, safety procedures and project expectations. Ensure that volunteers have the necessary tools and resources to carry out their tasks effectively.
• Supervision and support – Oversee volunteers during the gardening activities, offering assistance and guidance as needed. Ensure that projects are completed to a high standard and in accordance with Depaul UK’s quality standards.
• Contribution and adherence – to attend all inductions and support sessions as necessary and to adhere to the term of Depaul UK’s policies. To contribute positively to the continuous development of the project/team and to observe clear professional boundaries with the young people living in Depaul UK supported accommodation services.

• Qualified or proven time served as a gardener with significant experience in the field
• Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to plan effectively
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and motivate volunteers from diverse backgrounds
• Knowledge of health and safety regulations, manual handling, working at height and COSHH certified, with a commitment to ensuring a safe working environment for volunteers
• Flexibility and adaptability to work with different corporate groups and accommodate varying schedules and preferences.

• Commitment for this role is fully flexible for the volunteer, we are very grateful for what can be offered. This volunteer will work with the fundraising team to decide the best way of planning volunteering sessions. e.g volunteer to give availability every month or to give certain days when can be contacted to organise an agreed volunteering session. Please state on the application form what days and times you are able to offer and what your flexibility is. The hours are not guaranteed every week as the hours depend on what tasks are needed as they arise.
• We ask that this volunteer has the skills and knowledge to complete jobs safely, is able to share this skill and knowledge with clients and other volunteers.
• If you have not been active in your volunteering for 3 months we will contact you to see if you wish to continue and if you have not been active for 6 months your volunteering role will be ended. You could then re-apply for any volunteering at Depaul again going through the full volunteer recruitment process.

• Opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of the young people we support
• Utilise your skills and expertise to support on meaningful volunteer projects and inspire others to give back to the community
• Travel expenses to and from the project, travel between projects, and all genuine out-of-pocket expenses, are reimbursed.
• While volunteering at the project, volunteers have full liability insurance cover.
• There are appreciation events to recognise the important contribution that volunteers make
• Forums every 12 weeks to get peer support from other volunteers and gain extra learning
• Flexibility in the role
• Personal & professional development through training, support and ongoing evaluation. Including potential opportunities offered to volunteers which may include core training for staff such as safeguarding etc. (these trainings can be added to your CV).
• Depaul UK can provide a reference after 6 months active continuous volunteering

All applicants who are offered volunteering may be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure & Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed.