Team Information

Home for Good is a volunteer-powered, London-wide befriending project. Our volunteers provide bespoke support to vulnerable and formerly homeless clients who have been resettled into their own accommodation, and/or are facing isolation. The purpose of the service is to empower people to establish connections and thrive in what will often be a new community for them. If you want to make a lasting difference to someone’s life, this is an opportunity for you.

About this Role

Home for Good Community Volunteers will partner up with formerly homeless people who have been resettled into their own accommodation across Greater London. Our aim is to partner each Community Volunteer with somebody living near to their own neighbourhood, in order for them to share their knowledge and experience of the local area.

Community Volunteers will be expected to regularly meet up, in a public place, with the person they are partnered with in order to: listen how they are settling into their new home; signpost their client to any relevant specialist services operating locally; help their client to fulfil their potential through helping them pursue their interests by tapping into a range of local networks.

Tasks will include:

• Supporting clients to engage with a wide range of relevant services, such as physical and mental healthcare, employment and welfare rights agencies, or substance misuse services
• Helping clients to manage the day-to-day tasks of dealing with bills and shopping on a budget
• Supporting clients to develop networks of support, such as linking into community groups or re-establishing contact with family
• Enabling clients to make the most of what the community has to offer through matching their interests, skills and experience to relevant local organisations
• Challenging clients on problematic behaviour and on issues which might put their tenancy at risk
• Supporting clients who are ready to do so to identify and apply for volunteering or employment opportunities
• Encouraging the achievement of personal goals
• Participating in activities of interest to the client and empowering them to continue independently

Qualities needed:

• Ability to work independently, providing support, signposting and advice to vulnerable people
• A genuine commitment to working to empower clients with complex and multiple issues
• Perseverance and the ability to support clients facing a range of obstacles
• Ability to work within professional boundaries
• Calm, compassionate, non-judgemental and empathetic
• Reliability and good timekeeping
• Patience and ability to motivate and engage others
• Excellent communication and listening skills
• Confidence to work independently in the community with support from the Home for Good Team
• Flexibility on where you could meet, including central London, is desirable
• You must be aged 18 or over for this role
• We welcome applications from people with lived experience of homelessness

What you can expect:

• A full induction and training for your role
• Support and supervision to help you carry out your role (including group supervision/training opportunities for volunteers)
• A budget for meeting and travel expenses
• A rewarding experience and the opportunity to make a positive impact on someone's life

Recruitment Method

Application form, 2 references, interview and DBS check (criminal record check).

Applications to be sent to [email protected]

If you need any other information about the role or the application process, feel free to phone on 020 7592 1873 to speak with the team.