Centre receptionist volunteer roles

It’s vital for an older person’s wellbeing to have access to affordable leisure and recreational facilities. As a volunteer Receptionist, you will be a welcoming face within our Isabel Blackman Centre (IBC) Reception team. You will get a chance to meet new people and work with an excellent team of volunteers. It’s important to us that we provide a warm, affordable, and enjoyable place for our clients and visitors to learn something new, socialise, and keep fit.

The Isabel Blackman Centre (IBC) provides a restaurant, leisure facilities, activities and events space, treatment rooms, and a community shop within the heart of the Old Town, Hastings.

You will have a sociable attitude, be reliable and honest, empathic, a good listener, and have a love of meeting and greeting new people. You will be presenting a smart and professional image, whilst, ensuring all clients and visitors feel welcome and valued when they visit or contact the Isabel Blackman Centre (IBC).

You will also be multi-tasking by assisting with supporting telephone enquiries and getting involved with general administration. You will need to be willing to maintain a good working knowledge of services and facilities provided by the centre, and be comfortable with taking bookings and handling cash and credit card transactions. You will need to be educated to GCSE level or equivalent in English and Mathematics, and competent in Microsoft Office applications, especially Word, Outlook, and Excel.

The time commitment required is usually a minimum of three hours per week, but we’re also happy to have more flexible times. We will provide all the training and support that you need and reimburse the cost of any reasonably incurred out-of-pocket expenses.

We currently need someone to cover reception on Wednesday Mornings.

Confident and Capable volunteers are required to help us with our charity admin.

Are you retired or looking to get back into work and are confident on the phone and using IT? 

If so you may be the person we are looking for !

We need people to help us:

• Answer calls and prpvode advice and information
• Support the running of our reception desk 
• Help with data inputting and maintenance 
• Assist with general office admin tasks 

If you are passionate abourt supporing vulnerable people in the community and have a few spare hours each week then please get in touch !

We offer:

• Full induction
• Flexible hours
• Onsite parking
• Access to free training and develeopment 
• References after three months 
• Expenses covered
• Volunteer social events 
• Volunteer Community awards 

Summary

To be the first point of contact for families at our centres, providing administrative support and helping ensure the smooth running of the service.

Detailed description

We are looking for Volunteer Administrators for the following locations:

Broadwater Family Centre, Stevenage

Windmill Family Centre, Hemel Hempstead

Sopwell Family Centre, St Albans

Westfield & Littlebury Family Centre, Watford

The BECC Family Centre, Borehamwood

Main responsibilities

·Welcome families, visitors, and professionals to the Family Centre in a friendly and professional manner.

·Answer telephone calls and take messages accurately.

·Assist staff with administrative tasks such as photocopying, filing, and preparing resources.

·Input data into systems, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality.

·Help maintain an organised and tidy reception and office space.

·Support the preparation of publicity materials, newsletters, and information displays.

·Signpost visitors to the appropriate staff member for further support.

·Uphold safeguarding, confidentiality, and health & safety policies at all times.

Skills / Abilities / Experience / Qualities

·Friendly, welcoming, and professional manner.

·Good organisational and communication skills.

·Basic IT skills (Microsoft Office, email, internet)

·Reliable, punctual, and able to work as part of a team.

·Respectful of confidentiality and sensitive information.

·Understanding of diversity and inclusive practice.

·Previous office or reception experience is helpful but not essential.

Training / Support

·A full induction to the service and specific site will be provided.

·Requirement to undertake One YMCA online training courses

·To understand and implement One YMCA’s policies.

·Ongoing support and regular 1:1 meetings

·Access to organisational events throughout the year including Socials, Conferences and Training opportunities. 

Additional Information

·Undergo enhanced DBS check

·X2 References required

·Undertake additional training as and when required

·We offer to pay volunteers’ “out of pocket” expenses within agreed guidelines

Although words are important what so often speaks to our guests is our love and service. They see Jesus through our acts of service and willingness to put others before ourselves. We seek to build a sense of community where people feel they are coming into our family and our home. Our resident community are an essential part of that welcome, that sense of family.

What sort of person are we looking for?

Someone who above all else wants to grow in their own faith and help others to do the same. You need to have a sense of calling to be here – ie a sense that this is where God wants you at this time. You are joining a community and need to be committed to meeting and seeking God as a community and wider team. You will need to be willing to serve and help out wherever needed although we do seek to place people on the teams they are most suited to, not just where there is a need.

What do we ask of you?

We ask for 30 hours service each week. Often this involves housekeeping, washing up, laying tables, serving at meal times, spending time with guests, helping welcome guests or covering reception. It may also involve helping in the gardens or painting. You will expected to join in with times of prayer and worship together as a community and spend time on your own regularly praying and reading the Bible. Depending on your age, confidence and experience you may be asked to lock up a couple of evenings a week and be on-call.

What do we offer you?

We offer a supportive and prayerful environment and if you feel it would be helpful, coaching or mentoring. We offer times of worship and prayer as a team and resident community. Accommodation and meals are provided and a small allowance to cover essentials. You will have two days off a week and additional time off for holidays. This is an ideal ‘time out’ to give you time to reflect on where God may be leading you next and how he may want you to grow.

How long can I come for:

We ask that people come for a minimum of 6 months as it takes time to settle in. We would normally suggest a maximum of one year initially with the possibility of extending this where appropriate.

How do I apply?

Visit our website for more information or give us a call. 

 As an Outreach & Hub Support Volunteer you will make a difference by supporting clients to engage with us in different ways including providing hands on street outreach in line with our assertive outreach approach, and supporting clients in our Hub.