Welcome & Reception Volunteer [London]

Welcome & Reception Volunteer [London] 

Do you want to help people experiencing the housing emergency? 

Information about the role 

You’ll be an essential part of the team, welcoming clients and visitors to the hub. You’ll be providing information and key admin support that enables people to get the help they need with their housing. As well as gathering feedback from clients on their experience of our service.  

Location: London Hub, 88 Old Street, London

Suggested contribution: One day per week (can be flexible around your commitments)

Availability: Volunteering will take place at a time that suits you, within Monday-Friday, 9am – 5pm 

Deadline to apply: If you are interested, please apply at your earliest opportunity as this role will close once a sufficient number of applications is received. We are aiming to respond to all applicants on Monday 20th April

The above is the essential information you need to know. You can apply now by clicking ‘fill in an application’ or read on more for details.

Main activities may include: 

• Covering reception duties and being the first point of contact for the hub. 

• Booking in clients for appointments with our advisors. 

• Responding to general enquiries both in person and over the phone. 

• Triaging clients both in person and over the phone  

• Signposting people to other appropriate services. 

• General administrative tasks (such as photocopying, scanning, data entry, filing) 

• Phoning clients around 8-10 weeks after they accessed our services. 

• Asking clients set questions to gather information on their experiences with Shelter and the difference it has made to them.  

• Recording the phone calls and the responses given onto our client database (CRM). 

This role fights the housing emergency by enabling people who are struggling with housing or homelessness to get the advice and support they need.  

Benefits of volunteering with Shelter 

Volunteers are essential to Shelter’s mission to end housing injustice. We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds. The insights and life experiences our volunteers bring to Shelter are valued as much as their contribution through volunteering. 

We aim to provide our volunteers with a positive experience. This is by prioritising accessibility and tailoring the support we provide to the needs of the individual. We make sure our policies and processes are equitable, which means that no-one is unfairly disadvantaged while volunteering because of their background or identity. 

Your skills and experience 

There are no specific skills or experience you need to have for this role though we do welcome the following skills  

• Understanding of the housing system  

• Speak more than one language we particularly welcome speakers of Arabic, Bengali, French, Urdu. But any additional language can be useful please specify on your application form if you speak more than one language and which language you speak.  

Supporting you 

• You will be provided with an induction into your role, access to relevant learning and a copy of our volunteer handbook. 

• The role, including learning and communications, are flexible, so can be tailored so they best suit your needs and preferences.  

• You will be able to claim reasonable volunteering expenses in line with Shelter’s volunteer expenses policy. Where financial circumstances would be a barrier to volunteering, we may be able to offer these funds in advance.  

• You will be able to access our volunteer support package, including our colleague assistance programme and Shelter’s network of mental health first aiders. 

Next steps 

You can apply for this role by clicking ‘fill in an application’. If you need to apply by an alternative method, please contact us to see what options are available. 

We will then get back to you about your application. Shortlisted applicants will have a recruitment conversation to discuss the role further. 

Upon offer of role, you will be asked to declare any unspent convictions and complete a basic level Criminal Record Check. Having a criminal record does not automatically mean you can’t volunteer with us. We will have a conversation with you to discuss the convictions in relation to the role you have applied for. Sometimes it may limit the ways you can get involved. Please contact us if you require more information. 

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