Peripatetic Volunteer

Our Peripatetic Team provide front-line support to Solace’s Advice, Community and accommodation-based Services across London. Crisis Intervention Workers enable our services to deliver a consistent high standard of service.

The team was created in order to have trained, skilled staff ready to cover gaps in service and facilitate the continued smooth running of services, proactively supporting women and children who have experienced domestic abuse. They are required to go into different teams and quickly establish themselves and provide support in times where staff teams may be struggling.

About the Role

The peripatetic team looks to support our different services when they are in crisis as such this role requires someone who is comfortable with change and can adapt to different services as they will move from team to team.
We need understanding and organised individuals who are keen to learn and develop skills in a variety of areas, are able to build relationships quickly and are able to work independently and also as part of a team.
Volunteers may be assigned to a new team for a duration ranging from a few days to a month, depending on the service needs.
The ideal volunteer will have a good telephone manner, excellent communication skills and be able to show empathy to service users. Volunteers will be given an extensive induction and will learn how to best support those who are experiencing or who have experienced abuse. They will support teams in a variety of ways, overseen by one central manager. The roles and tasks include:

• Perform administration tasks e.g. data entry, uploading minutes
• Answering duty line calls
• Contacting service users to check in, researching and making onward referrals.
• Researching local organisations and assisting to keep stakeholders up to date.
• Complete exit questionnaires and surveys.
• Promote service user involvement and send out relevant information and assist teams to organise events/feedback
  sessions.

Who are we looking for?

We think you’ll thrive in this role if you have:

• Understanding of violence against women and girls issues and a desire to build on this.
• Confidence in using Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to be well organised.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Tact and discretion in handling confidential information.
• Good listening skills and an empathic, non-judgemental approach.
• A willingness to learn and be open to new ideas
• An individual who works to be inclusive and kind

What can you gain from this opportunity?

As part of this role, you will have the opportunity to

• Gain experience and understanding of Violence against Women and Girls.
• Gain knowledge and awareness of abuse, safety planning, risk management options available to service users.
• Build skills around advocacy and negotiation.
• Enabling service users to access valuable support that assists in their journey towards safe, independent lives, free from abuse
• Contribute and support a busy and diverse team.
• Play a pivotal role in delivering services.
• Hands on experience in a dynamic charity working in the Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) Sector.
• Improving IT skills and data management.
• Having a line manager who will create a plan with you around what you would like from this experience
• Have support of the Peri team and be buddied up with a staff member

We offer great volunteer induction training, where you will be fully supported to understand and carry put every aspect of the role. Training includes CPD accredited courses, and the opportunity to apply to complete the Tackling and Preventing Domestic Abuse Award (DAPA), which is recognized by the Home Office.