Volunteer Street Outreach

Volunteer with us…. To assist and support our Day Centre Project Worker staff involved in street outreach work for the purpose of engaging with people who are rough sleeping in Galway City and signposting and supporting them to link with relevant services in the community.  Location: Galway City Centre Times: 6.30am-8am/7.30pm-10pm (minimum one shift) as specified Commitment: Minimum 6 months Responsible to: Project Worker Level of English required: Fluent. Other languages would also be of considerable benefit.  Our Vision A community where every person is valued, cared for and supported at every stage of life. We work to achieve this vision by providing essential supports for people at challenging times in their lives and by advocating for systemic change to remove the root causes of inequality and disadvantage that constrain the well-being and development of individuals, families and communities.  Our Mission Making a difference by empowering people, creating change and strengthening communities. We understand, respect and respond to the needs of those who struggle with the challenges of homelessness and domestic abuse, and we support older people towards healthy and active ageing.  Service description:  Teach Corrib Day Centre works with individuals who are experiencing homelessness in Galway City and County, including the provision of information and referral to accommodation and mainstream services and assistance is securing long-term accommodation. Food and access to washing and laundry facilities are available. One of the target groups of the service are people who are rough sleeping and as part of the response to this need some street outreach takes place a number of mornings each week with the aim of engaging with and sign posting people who are rough sleeping to where and how they can access services and supports.     What’s involved? Accompany and support Day Centre Project worker staff on street outreach – this will ordinarily be between the hours of 6.30am and 8am on three-weekday morning each week. At no time will the volunteers in this role be volunteering alone. At all times they will be accompanied by a Project worker.Engage with people who are rough sleeping and communicate to them information on where and how to access supports in Galway City Provide food and refreshments to those sleeping rough in the city Distribute items such clothing items including gloves and hats etc as required Keep a record of the numbers and locations of rough sleepers and generate records as required under the guidance of the Day Centre Project Workers Keep yourself safe at all times in the course of street outreach activities Respect the wishes of people rough sleeping, in terms of their engagement or otherwise, with the street outreach work you are involved in  Personal Specification Friendly, enthusiastic manner Ability to demonstrate respect and empathy to clients  Oral communication skills – ability to communicate effectively and to develop, foster and maintain positive relations with clients, colleagues and other agencies Listening skills Interpersonal and teamwork skills Conflict resolution skills Ability to respond in a professional manner to challenging and stressful situations Planning and organisational skills - ability to be organised in approach to work, to follow through with tasks A commitment to principles of diversity and inclusion Experience, Education & Training Some experience in a similar or comparable role preferable but not essential Have worked with socially marginalised and disadvantaged in the past Social care or community work preferable but not essential First Aid trained preferable  Special Requirements (beneficial but not necessary to apply for this role) Qualified driver with own car, full driving licence & insurance. The use of your car will be at your own expense. This contribution is greatly appreciated. There will be lifting in this role (refreshments) Advise your insurance company of your volunteer work. A template letter for your insurance company will be provided  What will you get out of it? Great personal satisfaction since you can make a real difference to our service users. The opportunity to develop knowledge and gain practical experience relative to this role. Gain communication and customer service skills. Join a fun welcoming team. Meet and work with new people. Build confidence. Add valuable experience to your CV. The option to access other training courses as appropriate to the role. The opportunity to contribute to a local Galway charity and help us realise our vision of creating a community where every person is valued, cared for and supported at every stage of life.  What we would like from you Willingness to work within the values and policies of COPE Galway. The volunteer conducts him/herself in a professional manner and maintains a respectful and courteous manner in dealing with clients. The volunteer will maintain confidentiality in respect of all matters which come to their knowledge while volunteering. Volunteers should not undertake duties outside this role description without checking first with their Volunteer Supervisor.  Volunteers should adhere to the “Volunteer Agreement” which includes their rights and responsibilities as outlined in our Volunteer Handbook Will there be induction and training? You will receive a local induction and introduction to the role before you start.  You will be offered service specific training required for the role.  Other training includes:  Trauma Informed Practice (online module) ‘Stop & Think’ Reflective Workshops You will have the opportunity to participate in ‘On-boarding Induction’ with fellow volunteers and staff. Cope Galway will provide ongoing support and supervision through one-to-one and group meetings which you will be informed about while you are volunteering.  Recruitment Process·        Application processed·        Manual Handling Training ·        The applicant will be invited to meet with the service manager·        The interview takes place as arranged by the hiring·        Successful applicants will be offered the volunteer role subject to·        Garda Vetting being completed in a timely manner·        2 Reference Checks (one of whom must be resident in Ireland) ·        Signing of the Cope Galway Volunteer Agreement·        Induction and Orientation prior to commencement·        Volunteers commencing with COPE Galway are subject to a trial period General information  Volunteers should not undertake duties outside this role description without checking first with their Volunteer Supervisor.  Volunteers are requested to adhere to the “Cope Galway Volunteer Agreement” which includes their rights and responsibilities as outlined in our Volunteer Handbook.  Volunteer Travel Expenses COPE Galway provides reimbursement for the cost of public transport travel expenses for volunteers who are living in Direct Provision, subject to the following: ·        Travel is by public transport, and to and from residence to place of volunteering only ·        Volunteer provides letter of confirmation (temporary residence certificate or other document of proof) ·        Expenses must be approved in advance ·        Receipt(s) must be produced to the Manager after travel