Welcome and Support Volunteer.

As a Welcome volunteer, you will be an invaluable part of the Birmingham team, supporting the hub to deliver vital frontline services.

You'll be the first point of contact for clients and visitors, assisting the hub team with duties, and supporting the operation of the Shelter office in their day-to-day business 

You’ll act as the first point of contact for our clients, helping to understand their needs and help them access necessary advice and assistance through the duty or appointment services. Being a positive presence in the hub to ensure visitors feel comfortable and welcomed.   

This role is an opportunity to make a real difference to the households we assist. You’ll be developing your own knowledge and skills to assist local people with a range of housing issues as well as providing practical guidance and providing a friendly, listening ear. You will gain experience of volunteering within a recognised national housing charity, while supporting your local community. 

Main Tasks include 

• Greeting people who come to the office and aiding in Reception 
• Communicating with clients via phone and email to share updates on their case and to gather information. 
• To obtain feedback and service user consents 
• Signposting clients to relevant services and providing useful information. 
• General tasks (e.g. photocopying, scanning, and filing). 

Skills and experience required 

• Good communication skills and the ability to understand the needs of our clients.  
• The ability to speak Somalian or Arabic would be helpful, but certainly not essential 
• Interest in housing issues; welfare benefits; debt; community care 
• The ability to work as part of a team and value and communicate effectively with others    
• Confident using Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Excel, Teams and PDF documents to a good standard 
• Willingness to follow Shelter’s policies, including volunteering, health & safety, equality & diversity, confidentiality & data protection