Housing And Homelessness Volunteer Roles

VOLUNTEER HANDYPERSON

Connection Support has a range of services providing support to people at risk of homelessness or on the edge of needing social care. We work with people made vulnerable through debt, mental health issues, substance misuse, learning disability, and physical disabilities.

Volunteers play a key role in the provision of vital services to our clients.

Are you a reliable handyperson who can undertake, upkeep, and repair a range of tasks for our housing support clients?

• Do you have 1-2 hours a week to make basic home improvements to client’s accommodation?
• Are you a dab hand at DIY and want to put your handyperson skills to good use?
• Do you have an interest in motivating people to make positive changes in their lives through acquiring new skills?

If you can answer ‘yes’ to these questions, then we would love to hear from you!

Key responsibilities

Your role will include carrying out basic household repairs and alterations such as:

• Gardening work
• Flat pack furniture assembly
• Putting up curtain rails/blinds
• Hanging pictures and shelves

Skills required

No volunteering experience is required however the below skills are essential:

• Practical skills in DIY and/or gardening
• Good listening and communication skills
• Excellent people skills to enable you to work with a range of individuals with complex backgrounds

• Reliable and trustworthy
• Respect confidentiality
• Ability to build effective working relationships with clients in a non-patronising way

VOLUNTEER HANDYPERSON

Connection Support has a range of services providing support to people at risk of homelessness or on the edge of needing social care. We work with people made vulnerable through debt, mental health issues, substance misuse, learning disability, and physical disabilities.

Volunteers play a key role in the provision of vital services to our clients.

Are you a reliable handyperson who can undertake, upkeep, and repair a range of tasks for our housing support clients?

• Do you have 1-2 hours a week to make basic home improvements to client’s accommodation?
• Are you a dab hand at DIY and want to put your handyperson skills to good use?
• Do you have an interest in motivating people to make positive changes in their lives through acquiring new skills?

If you can answer ‘yes’ to these questions, then we would love to hear from you!

Key responsibilities

Your role will include carrying out basic household repairs and alterations such as:

• Gardening work
• Flat pack furniture assembly
• Putting up curtain rails/blinds
• Hanging pictures and shelves

Skills required

No volunteering experience is required however the below skills are essential:

• Practical skills in DIY and/or gardening
• Good listening and communication skills
• Excellent people skills to enable you to work with a range of individuals with complex backgrounds

• Reliable and trustworthy
• Respect confidentiality
• Ability to build effective working relationships with clients in a non-patronising way

VOLUNTEER HANDYPERSON

Connection Support has a range of services providing support to people at risk of homelessness or on the edge of needing social care. We work with people made vulnerable through debt, mental health issues, substance misuse, learning disability, and physical disabilities.

Volunteers play a key role in the provision of vital services to our clients.

Are you a reliable handyperson who can undertake, upkeep, and repair a range of tasks for our housing support clients?

• Do you have 1-2 hours a week to make basic home improvements to client’s accommodation?
• Are you a dab hand at DIY and want to put your handyperson skills to good use?
• Do you have an interest in motivating people to make positive changes in their lives through acquiring new skills?

If you can answer ‘yes’ to these questions, then we would love to hear from you!

Key responsibilities

Your role will include carrying out basic household repairs and alterations such as:

• Gardening work
• Flat pack furniture assembly
• Putting up curtain rails/blinds
• Hanging pictures and shelves

Skills required

No volunteering experience is required however the below skills are essential:

• Practical skills in DIY and/or gardening
• Good listening and communication skills
• Excellent people skills to enable you to work with a range of individuals with complex backgrounds

• Reliable and trustworthy
• Respect confidentiality
• Ability to build effective working relationships with clients in a non-patronising way

Enthusiastic, reliable and compassionate volunteers with good interpersonal skills and a desire to help others. Confident working with young people between the ages of 16 - 24.

To provide social and practical support to customers. Helping towards improving the life chances of people with experience of homelessness.

Clarion Housing Group operate a number of supported housing schemes, to support people to live independently, by providing residents with the life skills they will need to eventually go on to their own tenancy.

This opportunity is based in Strood, Rochester and Gillingham (Medway).

Volunteers empower our customers to identify their existing strengths and skills so they can achieve their goals and aspirations. As a volunteer, you can support customers to achieve their full potential by developing new skills and accessing opportunities.

Activities:
-Building an empathic and person-centred relationship with a young person who may be socially isolated or lack confidence.
-Provide opportunities for young people to become more self-confident, maintain contact with important people in their lives and build-up their social networks.

Practical activities could also include:
-Empowering young people to develop independent living skills and to access educational and employment opportunities
-Helping the young people to complete forms and paperwork including developing their CV and job applications
-Helping the young people to build important life skills e.g. cooking, cleaning and budgeting
-Organising activities within the schemes i.e. art/painting, games/quizzes, cooking

Support for Volunteers:

- To attend four half days of training, receive an induction and have access to any other relevant in house and external training

- Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed

- Volunteers will have a check in with the Volunteering Officer every 3 months to ensure they are happy with the role and to resolve any issues

Young People in supported housing age 16-24 - To provide social and practical support to customers.

Helping towards improving the life chances of people with experience of homelessness. Volunteers empower our customers to identify their existing strengths and skills so they can achieve their goals and aspirations. As a volunteer, you can support customers to achieve their full potential by developing new skills and accessing opportunities 

Activities:

• Building an empathic and person-centred relationship with a young person who may be socially isolated or lack confidence.
• Provide opportunities for young people to become more self-confident, maintain contact with important people in their lives and build-up their social networks.

Practical activities could also include:

• Support young people on a weekly basis by accompanying them to appointments
• Escort the young people to nearby shops, outdoor spaces and other places in their local area
• Accompany the young people to areas of interest e.g. the gym, art classes, places of worship etc.
• Help the young people to build their confidence engaging in the wider community

Support for Volunteers:

• To attend four half days of training, receive an induction and have access to any other relevant in house and external training
• Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed
• Volunteers will have a check in with the Volunteering Officer every 3 months to ensure they are happy with the role and to resolve any issues

To provide social and practical support to young people in supported housing age 16-24 

Helping towards improving the life chances of people with experience of homelessness. Volunteers empower our customers to identify their existing strengths and skills so they can achieve their goals and aspirations. As a volunteer, you can support customers to achieve their full potential by developing new skills and accessing opportunities.

Activities:

• Building an empathic and person-centred relationship with a young person who may be socially isolated or lack confidence.
• Provide opportunities for young people to become more self-confident, maintain contact with important people in their lives and build-up their social networks.
• This role requires us to carry out an enhanced DBS check

Practical activities could also include:

• Empowering young people to develop independent living skills and to access educational and employment opportunities
• Helping the young people to complete forms and paperwork including developing their CV and job applications
• Helping the young people to build important life skills e.g. cooking, cleaning and budgeting
• Organising activities within the schemes i.e. art/painting, games/quizzes, cooking

Support for Volunteers:

• To attend four half days of training, receive an induction and have access to any other relevant in house and external training
• Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed
• Volunteers will have a check in with the Volunteering Officer every 3 months to ensure they are happy with the role and to resolve any issues

Activities coordinator in our Live Smart independent living scheme for over 55s.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, reliable and compassionate volunteer with good interpersonal skills and a desire to help others. Experience of working with older people, with a kind caring nature, and an understanding of resident’s needs.

Activities include:
- Organising activities such as a board games afternoon, craft club and trips out.
- Communicating with the residents to find out the activities they would like to do.
- Arranging for visitors to come in to do activities, or talks.
- Encouraging residents to join in activities.

Skills and requirements:
- Experience of working with older people, with a kind caring nature, and an understanding of resident’s needs.
- An ability to organise activities, offering new ideas and initiatives. Experience with crafts or games skills would be an advantage.
- Able to liaise with the manager who will be able to support advertising the activities to all residents

Practical Considerations:

- Required to live locally, as local knowledge is key to this role.

- Volunteers receive a thorough induction and have access to any relevant in-house and external training.

- Volunteers have a named supervisor providing day-to-day support and encouragement.

-Reasonable travel and lunch expenses with be reimbursed

- A DBS check will be required for this role.

Commitment:

Commitment can be flexible to suit your availability, from about 1-2 hours per week. The commitment may increase as more residents become interested in activities, but a maximum should be 4 hours per week. Ideally this volunteer will commit to a minimum of

Activities coordinator in our Live Smart independent living scheme for over 50s.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, reliable and compassionate volunteer with good interpersonal skills and a desire to help others. Experience of working with older people, with a kind caring nature, and an understanding of resident’s needs.

Activities include:
- Organising activities such as a board games afternoon, craft club and trips out.
- Communicating with the residents to find out the activities they would like to do.
- Arranging for visitors to come in to do activities, or talks.
- Encouraging residents to join in activities.

Skills and requirements:
- Experience of working with older people, with a kind caring nature, and an understanding of resident’s needs.
- An ability to organise activities, offering new ideas and initiatives. Experience with crafts or games skills would be an advantage.
- Able to liaise with the manager who will be able to support advertising the activities to all residents

- Required to have a Driving License and Car

Practical Considerations:​

- Required to live locally, as local knowledge is key to this role.

- Volunteers receive a thorough induction and have access to any relevant in-house and external training.

- Volunteers have a named supervisor providing day-to-day support and encouragement.

-Reasonable travel and lunch expenses with be reimbursed

- A DBS check will be required for this role.

Commitment:

Commitment can be flexible to suit your availability, from about 1-2 hours per week. The commitment may increase as more residents become interested in activities, but a maximum should be 4 hours per week. Ideally this volunteer will commit to a minimum of 4 months.

Gentle Exercises Volunteer in our Live Smart Scheme for over 55s. 

Facilitating a regular Gentle Exercise group to promote the health and wellbeing of residents.  Activities could include armchair aerobics, yoga or walking

LiveSmart schemes provide affordable, comfortable and secure housing for the over-55s.  Our purpose is to enhance the lives of the people we work with.  Volunteers run activities that promote happiness, health, inclusion and independence.

Activites:

Getting to know an interesting and diverse group of older residents in one or more LiveSmart schemes

Listening to residents and planning with them the type of gentle exercise activity they would prefer

Practical considerations:

Volunteers receive a thorough induction and have access to any relevant in-house and external training.

- Volunteers have a named supervisor providing day-to-day support and encouragement.

-Reasonable travel and lunch expenses with be reimbursed

- A DBS check will be required for this role.

Adapting exercises to the different abilities and needs of the group

Promoting the activity to increase the numbers of people participating

Commitment:

Commitment can be flexible to suit your availability, from about 1-2 hours per week. The commitment may increase as more residents become interested in activities, but a maximum should be 4 hours per week. Ideally this volunteer will commit to a minimum of

*This particular service has an emphasis on empowering female clients and working to improve the experiences of the women that the team work with, which means that we are only looking for volunteers who are female or female identifying. 

In this role, you will be supporting us with all or some of the following tasks:  Accompanying clients to attend appointments at the job centre, GP and other services  Accompanying clients on outings to the library, and other local community activities.  Supporting clients to access services over the phone and online  Supporting clients in a range of practical ways under the guidance of the Housing First worker.  Adhering to St Mungo’s Policies and Procedures at all times.  Promoting St Mungo’s work in an appropriate manner.  Actively promoting equality, diversity and inclusion among staff, fellow volunteers and clients.

Admin Support volunteer, community fundraising, Aberdeen Area

Role summary

Are you looking to use your admin skills to make a difference? You’ll provide admin support to your local Community Fundraising team to ensure that we reach more potential supporters and that all our donors, however they choose to support us, receive exceptional supporter care.  We're a new and growing team with big ambitions to engage local individuals, groups and businesses in the fight to end bad housing and homelessness. You'll play an integral role in helping to broaden our supporter base in local communities.

 This role is flexible and hours can be discussed. 

Main tasks

• Research new audiences such as schools, local businesses and faith groups based around Shelter Scotland offices.
• Support Regional Community Fundraiser in approaching new supporters.
• Strengthen relationships with supporters by providing fundraising materials and updates on our work by post and email.
• Maintaining supporter records on our database.
• Support in maintaining basic income spreadsheet such as Just Giving page total.

Providing basic administrative tasks including preparing fundraising packs, posters and documents and other ad hoc duties

Shop Volunteering Opportunities Hamilton

Our shops are at the heart of local communities raising vital funds for our fight against homelessness and bad housing - and they’re powered by our volunteers!

Suggested Involvement: It’s up to you! We have volunteers who support for one hour a week and others who volunteer more. Many people volunteer for a morning or an afternoon each week, but we’ll have a chat about your availability after you’ve applied.

Availability: The shop is open Monday - Saturday 09:00-17:00.

Location: Shop in Hamilton, ML3 7AR

Supervised by: Community Shop Manager/Assistant Manager

Why volunteer with Shelter Scotland? 

Home is a human right. It's our foundation and it's where we thrive. Yet, every day millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.

We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.

We’re passionate about what we do, and love giving second-hand clothing a chance of going to a good home. Our shop teams ensure fighting the housing emergency never felt so fun. 

What can I do?

After you’ve filled in an application, we will invite you for an informal chat to find the right role for you. Some roles involve a basic criminal record check being completed during recruitment. Having a criminal record does not mean that you cannot volunteer with us, but it may impact the ways you can get involved.

• Volunteering in the shop

Our retail volunteers are in the middle of it all, and there’s plenty to get involved with. You might be sorting stock, engaging with customers, ringing items through the till, creating fantastic window displays or keeping our shop floor looking organised.

- You will not undergo a criminal record check for this role  

• Volunteering in a leadership role

Our volunteer supervisors help with overseeing the running of our shop and creating a fantastic environment for our customers. You may be involved with coordinating and supporting other volunteers, operating computer systems, and being a key point of contact for the shop.

Skills and Experiences Required:

We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experiences. You don’t need to have volunteered or worked in a shop before as full training will be provided. What’s important to us is that you are a team player, open to learning and willing to follow Shelter Scotland’s policies and can be an excellent ambassador for Shelter Scotland. We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of bad housing or homelessness.

Induction, Learning and Development:

To enable you to take part in this opportunity Shelter Scotland will:

• Welcome you with a Volunteer Handbook
• Provide training, induction, and ongoing support from your Shop Manager to help you feel confident in your role
• Refund any out-of-pocket expenses in line with Shelter Scotland’s volunteer expenses policy

Benefits of volunteering with Shelter Scotland…

• Supporting Shelter Scotland in our fight against bad housing and homelessness
• Gain valuable experience in a retail environment
• Getting involved in your local community and being part of a great team
• Build your confidence and develop transferable skills

We aim to respond to all applications within 14 days

If you would like to find out more about the volunteering opportunity before applying, why not pop into the shop.

Shop Volunteering Opportunities Edinburgh Stockbridge

Our shops are at the heart of local communities raising vital funds for our fight against homelessness and bad housing - and they’re powered by our volunteers!

Suggested Involvement: It’s up to you! We have volunteers who support for one hour a week and others who volunteer more. Many people volunteer for a morning or an afternoon each week, but we’ll have a chat about your availability after you’ve applied.

Availability: The shop is open Monday - Saturday 10:00-18:00 and Sunday 11:00-17:00. 

Location: Shop in Stockbridge, Edinburgh, EH4 1HH

Supervised by: Community Shop Manager/Assistant Manager

Why volunteer with Shelter Scotland? 

Home is a human right. It's our foundation and it's where we thrive. Yet, every day millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.

We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.

We’re passionate about what we do, and love giving second-hand clothing a chance of going to a good home. Our shop teams ensure fighting the housing emergency never felt so fun. 

What can I do?

After you’ve filled in an application, we will invite you for an informal chat to find the right role for you. Some roles involve a basic criminal record check being completed during recruitment. Having a criminal record does not mean that you cannot volunteer with us, but it may impact the ways you can get involved.

• Volunteering in the shop

Our retail volunteers are in the middle of it all, and there’s plenty to get involved with. You might be sorting stock, engaging with customers, ringing items through the till, creating fantastic window displays or keeping our shop floor looking organised.

- You will not undergo a criminal record check for this role  

• Volunteering in a leadership role

Our volunteer supervisors help with overseeing the running of our shop and creating a fantastic environment for our customers. You may be involved with coordinating and supporting other volunteers, operating computer systems, and being a key point of contact for the shop.

Skills and Experiences Required:

We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experiences. You don’t need to have volunteered or worked in a shop before as full training will be provided. What’s important to us is that you are a team player, open to learning and willing to follow Shelter Scotland’s policies and can be an excellent ambassador for Shelter Scotland. We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of bad housing or homelessness.

Induction, Learning and Development:

To enable you to take part in this opportunity Shelter Scotland will:

• Welcome you with a Volunteer Handbook
• Provide training, induction, and ongoing support from your Shop Manager to help you feel confident in your role
• Refund any out-of-pocket expenses in line with Shelter Scotland’s volunteer expenses policy

Benefits of volunteering with Shelter Scotland…

• Supporting Shelter Scotland in our fight against bad housing and homelessness
• Gain valuable experience in a retail environment
• Getting involved in your local community and being part of a great team
• Build your confidence and develop transferable skills

We aim to respond to all applications within 14 days

If you would like to find out more about the volunteering opportunity before applying, why not pop into the shop.

Shop Volunteering Opportunities Glasgow Byres Road

Our shops are at the heart of local communities raising vital funds for our fight against homelessness and bad housing - and they’re powered by our volunteers!

Suggested Involvement: It’s up to you! We have volunteers who support for one hour a week and others who volunteer more. Many people volunteer for a morning or an afternoon each week, but we’ll have a chat about your availability after you’ve applied.

Availability: The shop is open Monday - Saturday 09:00-17:00 and Sunday 12:00-16:00. 

Location: Shop on Byres Road, Glasgow, G12 8TS

Supervised by: Community Shop Manager/Assistant Manager

Why volunteer with Shelter Scotland? 

Home is a human right. It's our foundation and it's where we thrive. Yet, every day millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.

We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.

We’re passionate about what we do, and love giving second-hand clothing a chance of going to a good home. Our shop teams ensure fighting the housing emergency never felt so fun. 

What can I do?

After you’ve filled in an application, we will invite you for an informal chat to find the right role for you. Some roles involve a basic criminal record check being completed during recruitment. Having a criminal record does not mean that you cannot volunteer with us, but it may impact the ways you can get involved.

• Volunteering in the shop

Our retail volunteers are in the middle of it all, and there’s plenty to get involved with. You might be sorting stock, engaging with customers, ringing items through the till, creating fantastic window displays or keeping our shop floor looking organised.

- You will not undergo a criminal record check for this role  

• Volunteering in a leadership role

Our volunteer supervisors help with overseeing the running of our shop and creating a fantastic environment for our customers. You may be involved with coordinating and supporting other volunteers, operating computer systems, and being a key point of contact for the shop.

Skills and Experiences Required:

We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experiences. You don’t need to have volunteered or worked in a shop before as full training will be provided. What’s important to us is that you are a team player, open to learning and willing to follow Shelter Scotland’s policies and can be an excellent ambassador for Shelter Scotland. We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of bad housing or homelessness.

Induction, Learning and Development:

To enable you to take part in this opportunity Shelter Scotland will:

• Welcome you with a Volunteer Handbook
• Provide training, induction, and ongoing support from your Shop Manager to help you feel confident in your role
• Refund any out-of-pocket expenses in line with Shelter Scotland’s volunteer expenses policy

Benefits of volunteering with Shelter Scotland…

• Supporting Shelter Scotland in our fight against bad housing and homelessness
• Gain valuable experience in a retail environment
• Getting involved in your local community and being part of a great team
• Build your confidence and develop transferable skills

We aim to respond to all applications within 14 days

If you would like to find out more about the volunteering opportunity before applying, why not pop into the shop.