Engage leeds

Who we are

Background

Engage Leeds is the new Housing Support Service in Leeds and is seeking volunteers to help deliver this City wide service to our Service Users. The consortium partnership includes Gipsil who are the lead contractor, Barca, Connect Housing and Riverside Care and Support. Riverside is taking the lead on work with Volunteers.

The Volunteer service is designed to work alongside Housing Support workers who offer support session’s either in the Service Users home or at an arranged place in the community.

The volunteer service provides valuable and meaningful support and helps to focus on issues relevant to Service User’s needs.  

Volunteering with Engage Leeds will contribute to our ultimate aim of successfully moving Service Users on to a more positive future.    

Role Description

Volunteers offer one to one support to people to achieve their personal goals and improve their health and well-being. Support is agreed with the Service User and their aims and goals are at the heart of way the planning process works to enable the best outcomes for that person.

The Difference You Make 

By offering to volunteer at Engage Leeds you can help to increase confidence and reduce levels of isolation and loneliness.  Your experiences, and all you bring to volunteering, helps to motive and equip for future success.   

The Approach

• You will bring positivity when working with Service Users alongside

• A non-judgmental approach, eagerness and an ability to volunteer with Service Users to help them achieve their goals

• To volunteer in a professional manner, maintaining boundaries at all times

• We recognise the importance of volunteering and want your experience to be rewarding and fulfilling.

What you can gain from this opportunity

You will gain fantastic experiences, increase your knowledge and become part of our team.   

We offer training opportunities, including accredited courses to enhance your skill sets.

The chance to meet other volunteers at social gatherings and learn from one another.    

The support you can expect 

All volunteers complete Mandatory Induction. Volunteers sign relevant policies, including Safeguarding, Health & Safety, and Professional Boundaries. The induction and training is also an opportunity to meet volunteers who are involved in other projects. We want you to feel as much a part of the team as we do, and we want you to feel that you are making a difference to people’s lives.

Your skills, knowledge and attitude

• Ability to work with people in a non-judgmental way

• Approachability and empathetic skills

• Ability to listen, understand and respond to the needs of our Service Users

• Have an understanding of the needs of people with housing issues, isolation and loneliness

• Respect confidentiality, be trustworthy & reliable

Hours             

We ask for a minimum of two hours a week.

Location

City Wide or local options

Safeguarding and DBS checks

All successful applicants are subject to an enhanced DBS check before they begin their placement.

A criminal record doesn’t necessarily prevent you from volunteering.