Learning and Skills Assistant Volunteer - Brent

We are looking for a volunteer to support our ESOL classes on Tuesdays (10:45am–4:45pm) and Wednesdays (10:30am–1:30pm). You can volunteer for one of the days or help cover both sessions. Your support would make a real difference in helping learners build their English skills and confidence, and volunteers are a valued part of our classes.

How will I be ending homelessness?

Our Learning and Skills offer focuses on 5 key areas that we believe will help members to leave homelessness for good. These are English, finance, digital inclusion, employment and enterprise and business. As a Learning and Skills Assistant, you will be supporting our tutors and Learning and Skills Mentors to deliver a package of learning to meet outcomes identified by Lead Workers in members progression plans.

Tasks you will support with include:

·         Planning

o   Sharing any thoughts and ideas you have as part of the planning for a session

o   Support with preparing resources for the session/setting up/tidying up any equipment and materials

·         Delivery

o   Creating a safe, welcome and non-judgemental learning space

o   With direction from the tutor/Learning and Skills Mentor, supporting members within the group to increase both their knowledge and confidence on how that learning can be applied to support them in managing a home

o   Supporting tutors and mentors with managing the group, and feeding back any concerns you have

You will work closely with the tutor/ mentor who will understand the needs and learning outcomes required for the session.

To be successful in this role we are looking for someone who:

·         Is interested in the above subjects. Some subject knowledge would be beneficial, but the session will be led by the tutor/mentor

·         Has the skills and confidence to support learners effectively, understand different learning needs and making individuals feel comfortable in the learning space

·         Is empathetic and compassionate to the needs of those experiencing homelessness

·         Is able to communicate well with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds including those who have a range of needs (for example mental health and substance misuse) and who may have English as a second language.

·         Is a good listener and patient

·         Understands the importance of keeping an individual’s personal information secure and private and working within the boundaries of the role to keep everyone safe 

·         Is passionate about standing with Crisis and our members to end homelessness.

If you have experience learning a second or third language, this can be particularly helpful in supporting our learners and understanding the challenges they may face. There may also be opportunities to develop your own presentation and facilitation skills, including leading or presenting parts of a session if this is something you would like to try.