HARP Volunteer

It is fantastic that you would like to find out more about volunteering at St Mungo’s. HARP stands for Housing, Advice, Resettlement and Prevention services – which are offered to ex-offenders who are homeless or at risk of losing their home. As a HARP Volunteer, you would be supporting the team with this aim: helping with phone assessments, supporting, and accompanying caseworkers on prison visits or to appointments. This role requires someone who is sensitive, resilient, and empathetic.

Hackney- Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm, 2 days per week.

In this role, you will be supporting us with all or some of the following tasks:

•  Providing clients with regular follow-up calls to check there are no issues with their tenancies, and occasional face-to-face meetings in the community where required (to assist with paperwork, attending appointments, etc). 
•  Liaising with the case worker to ensure risk assessments are completed and followed, and to agree relevant advice / sign posting / action plans for the clients in the ‘pool’. 
•  Providing support with ETE, volunteering opportunities, well-being services, and community activities (as agreed with case worker). 
• Feeding back on any issues, actions taken and activities to caseworker. 
•  Maintaining a database of support services and ensure contacts are up-to-date. 
•  Updating and maintaining our client spreadsheet, keeping accurate records of any work carried out with clients. 
•  Working alongside the case worker to assist them with administrative work as required. 
• Adhering to St Mungo’s Policies and Procedures at all times. 
• Promoting St Mungo’s work in an appropriate manner. 
•  Actively promoting equality, diversity and inclusion among staff, fellow volunteers and clients.  Adhering to St Mungo’s Policies and Procedures at all times. 

Do I need to have any specific skills?

• Sensitivity to supporting vulnerable adults who are ex-offenders 
• Empathy and good communication skills • Strong organisation skills and reliability/consistency - a commitment to sticking to agreed shift times and appointments and an understanding of why this is important 
• An understanding of the causes of homelessness and its impact. 
• Genuine interest in and commitment to St Mungo’s work and client group. 
• An understanding of and commitment to diversity & equality.