Diver’s Community CIC is a community-driven organisation dedicated to providing critical support to individuals experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping. Based in Birmingham, our work is focused ...
Social Support Volunteer (Mentor)
Practical details
Volunteering • Longer term volunteering
Contact person
Beckie Fraser
#128017
Scan me or visit www.volunteerbrum.org/o/Divers-Community-CIC/activities/Social-Support-Volunteer-Mentor/128017 to join
As a Social Support Volunteer (Mentor), you will provide one-to-one practical support to people experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
Location: Birmingham
Time: Weekdays
Commitment: Flexible
Work style: Remote and/or in person
About the role
You will help individuals navigate systems and access support relating to housing, benefits, healthcare, employment, education and other areas that can help them move towards greater stability and independence.
Through regular, supportive contact, you will help individuals identify their goals, overcome barriers and take practical steps towards a more secure and hopeful future. You will provide encouragement and guidance while respecting each person's choices, circumstances and independence.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide one-to-one practical support and mentoring to individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
- Help individuals navigate housing applications, benefits, healthcare and other support systems.
- Support individuals with form completion, applications, correspondence and preparation for appointments where appropriate.
- Signpost and connect individuals with relevant housing, healthcare, employment, education and community support services.
- Build positive working relationships with relevant external organisations and services to help provide joined-up support.
- Provide guidance on CV writing, job applications, interview preparation and employability skills.
- Support individuals to identify suitable volunteering, work experience, education and training opportunities.
- Encourage individuals to develop practical life skills, confidence and greater independence.
- Participate in community activities that raise awareness of homelessness and encourage wider community involvement.
- Maintain accurate and appropriate records of support provided, in line with confidentiality and data protection requirements.
- Communicate appropriately with the wider volunteer team and relevant services where information sharing is necessary and permitted.
- Work within the organisation's policies, procedures and agreed boundaries at all times.
What difference will you make?
Through your mentoring and support, you will help to:
- Connect people experiencing homelessness or housing instability with appropriate housing and support services.
- Improve access to benefits, healthcare, employment, education and other opportunities.
- Help individuals build confidence, resilience and self-worth.
- Support people to develop practical skills and greater independence.
- Reduce isolation by providing consistent, respectful and person-centred support.
- Help individuals overcome barriers that may prevent them from moving towards greater stability.
- Promote fairness, dignity and inclusion within the community.
We are looking for people who are:
- Compassionate, reliable and genuinely committed to supporting people experiencing homelessness and hardship.
- Excellent communicators and active listeners who can build trusting relationships.
- Respectful, patient and non-judgemental in their approach.
- Able to maintain appropriate professional boundaries while providing supportive one-to-one mentoring.
- Organised and able to manage time, appointments and accurate records effectively.
- Solution-focused, adaptable and able to encourage individuals without making decisions on their behalf.
- Comfortable working collaboratively with colleagues, volunteers and external organisations.
- Able to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately.
- Knowledgeable about benefits, housing, employment or local support services is beneficial but not essential.
- Experience of working with vulnerable people or in a mentoring, support or advice role is desirable but not essential. We are more interested in the right attitude, values and willingness to learn.
- Additional language skills relevant to the Birmingham community are desirable.
Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment
We are committed to safeguarding the people we support, our volunteers and the wider community. All volunteers are expected to follow our safeguarding, confidentiality, data protection, professional boundaries and health and safety policies and procedures.
As part of our safer recruitment process:
- Volunteers are required to complete an application and appropriate suitability checks before starting the role.
- References may be requested as part of the recruitment process.
- A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be required where the role meets the relevant eligibility criteria.
- Volunteers must disclose any relevant information that may affect their suitability for the role.
- Volunteers will receive appropriate safeguarding guidance and induction before providing one-to-one support.
- Any safeguarding concerns must be reported promptly in line with the organisation's safeguarding procedures.
- Volunteers must maintain appropriate professional boundaries and must not place themselves or the person they support at unnecessary risk.
- Volunteers must not provide support outside the agreed scope of the role or represent themselves as a professional adviser, healthcare worker, housing officer or other specialist unless appropriately qualified and authorised to do so.
We reserve the right to carry out additional checks or take appropriate safeguarding measures where necessary to protect the people we support.
Volunteer Commitment
This is a voluntary role and does not constitute paid employment. Volunteers are expected to carry out their role responsibly, follow organisational policies and procedures, maintain appropriate boundaries and communicate with the organisation if they are unable to fulfil an agreed commitment.
We will provide appropriate induction, guidance and support to help volunteers carry out their role safely and effectively.
Related to
About Diver's Community CIC
Diver’s Community CIC is a community-driven organisation dedicated to providing critical support to individuals experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping. Based in Birmingham, our work is focused on delivering practical assistance, essential outreach services, and facilitating pathways towards long-term stability. With a deep-rooted commitment to empowering the most vulnerable in our community, we pride ourselves on delivering tailored support that makes a measurable difference.
See more activities by Diver's Community CIC