Background

This role offers an opportunity to be part of our team in an award winning, groundbreaking environment that’s helping people to feel valued, listened to and hopeful. We’ve created a one-stop-shop where all the services people need are in one place, saving time for them and for our team and our partners. We’re making a difference as quickly and as effectively as possible.

The Access Hub is open 9-5, 7 days a week and we're currently looking for admin volunteers for afternoon shifts.

Role Purpose

 Our team provided over 24,000 face-to-face supports to around 3,000 individuals the first year it opened, in September 2020. People respond really well to the space and the environment we have created, it’s a very welcome space to be and that impacts on everyone who comes through the door. The additional help from our valuable volunteers can, and does, make a real difference.

Specific Tasks

• To gain a broad knowledge of Simon Community Scotland’s Access Hub purpose and activities
• Complete administration tasks associated with the service, such as recording data from each visit received, outcomes and monitoring information, scanning and uploading documents
• Answering phones at the hub duty desk
• Completing referrals to partner agencies such as food banks
• To uphold the highest standard of customer service
• To be responsible for the safety and comfort of the public, staff and visitors during their time in The Access Hub
• To actively promote Simon Community Scotland and partner agencies
• To ensure the public areas are presentable at all times
• To ensure literature displays are tidy and well stocked and that any displays are clean
• To ensure the public areas and toilets are presentable at all times and that basic daily cleaning duties are carried out
• To assist with internal events where required
• To attend all required training sessions

Skills and Qualities Required

Successful Access Hub Admin Volunteers will:

• Have the ability to work with people in a way that takes into consideration their individual and cultural beliefs without expressing personal opinion
• Be able to approach your volunteering role and tasks with a flexible and non judgemental attitude
• Be empathetic towards our client group
• Have good communication and people skills
• Have good admin skills
• Enjoy meeting and interacting with people from diverse backgrounds
• Commitment to high levels of customer service – experience of dealing with the public both in person and on the telephone would be beneficial

Commitment

 We welcome volunteers to stay with us and continue to help us make a difference in people’s lives. 12 months would be the ideal minimum but we respect your time and commitments elsewhere.
For this role we ask for a minimum of four hours per week or fortnight. We've found that volunteers committing to a regular slot works best for both the service and the volunteer – and makes rota planning easier.
Our recruitment follows the Safer Recruitment process, which means giving consideration to safeguarding arrangements at every step. We will ask you to attend an informal interview, provide us with two references and attend our Mini IMPACT training – a shortened version of our dynamic 5-day staff programme.

Support and Training

• A full and comprehensive induction is provided for this role
• In-role training is available – we value our volunteers and want to ensure you are equipped with the skills you need to fulfil your role
• Out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with our Policy
• Simon Community Scotland together with Volunteer Scotland and Disclosure Scotland will support you with the required PVG process
• Shadow shifts will help you prepare for the role – you will complete at least three before becoming a fully fledged member of the team

What’s in it for me?

For as little as four hours per week/fortnight you have the chance to meet new people and be part of an amazing team who are passionate about what they do.

Everything we do is about and for people: the people we support, our staff, our partners and everyone affected by homelessness. Each person involved brings their individual skills and creativity to the work we do. This is a chance for you to make a real difference to the most vulnerable people within your community and pick up essential skills that are valuable to employers.

Our expectations

We need people who care about our client group and who are enthusiastic and able to respond flexibly to a role that can sometimes be challenging, but brings great rewards and satisfaction.

We need you to be fully committed to Simon Community Scotland’s Mission and Core Values and adhere to our policies/procedures and Code of Practice.

If you need any help completing this form please contact us: volunteering@simonscotland.