Volunteer

Project: Poole Lifecentre & Foodbank
Location: St James’ Church Centre, Church Street, Poole, BH15 1JU
Time Commitment: Flexible hours, to be discussed

Role Description: At Poole Lifecentre & Foodbank, we believe that hope grows when people know they are not facing life’s challenges alone. Food is often the first doorway, but it’s never the whole story. Under one roof, people find not only a lifeline of practical help, but also the partnerships, relationships, and encouragement that make new beginnings possible.

Through our main hub at St James’ Church Centre, our five satellite locations, and our Store in the Dolphin Centre, we hand out over 5.5k food parcels a year. It’s a big operation, so we need drivers and drivers assistants to load up our van, and collect and deliver food stocks across Poole, so that thousands of individuals in crisis can get fed.

Key Attributes Needed:

• Please note this role can involve moving large, heavy crates and will suit someone who has suitable fitness levels (manual handling training will be provided).
• Have previous van driving experience.
• A current and valid UK Drivers Licence with 3 points of fewer on it.

You Will Gain Experience in: working as part of a team, understanding of stock flow and logistics, problem solving.

For more information please contact Tom by phoning 01202 429037 or via the contact form below.
*Please ensure you select “volunteer & fundraise” from the dropdown menu.

Project: SMILE (Solo Parent Families)
Location: Various locations across Poole
Time Commitment: Flexible hours, to be discussed

Role Description: SMILE provides support, activities and friendship for single parent families. Our goal is to create a community of families who support each other and live everyday to the full.

We are looking for volunteers to help with fun days out, our community meal, our coffee mornings, and creches. We need volunteers to assist with various roles including: sitting with families, helping them to engage with crafts and board games, helping children with homework, signposting parents to other services, and looking after children while we run practical support and courses for parents, as well as preparing and serving food at our community meal.

Key Attributes Needed: friendly, good at communicating, patient, enjoy working with children, sensitive, caring, encouraging, able to work as part of a team and reliable.

You Will Gain Experience in: supporting lone parent families, helping in the community, working with children, working as part of a team and problem solving.

For more information please contact Tom by phoning 01202 429037 or via the contact form below.
*Please ensure you select “volunteer & fundraise” from the dropdown menu.

Project: Half-Time
Location: Half-Time, St. Mike’s Church, Bournemouth
Time Commitment: Variable on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays

Role Description: Half-Time serves people who are rough sleeping and vulnerably housed at our hub at St. Mike’s Church in Bournemouth. On Wednesdays and Fridays we offer appointments with access to: hot showers, lockers, snacks, toiletries, phone charging, and the opportunity to talk through issues. On Thursdays we run ‘Thursday Club’ for those who are vulnerably housed, this is an opportunity for people to take part in fun activities and build community and friendship in a safe and encouraging space. As a volunteer, you will be supporting our staff with appointments and activities, helping the homeless find safety and support, and providing practical help.

Key Tasks: listening to visitors with empathy and offering encouragement, helping with appointments and practical support (laundry, showers, lockers, food etc), and supporting with welcoming guests.

Key Attributes Needed: a “people’s person”, someone who is a good listener, caring and empathetic, non-judgemental and a team player.

You Will Gain Experience in: understanding the needs of those who were/are at risk of sleeping on the street, being part of a team of volunteers, gain a knowledge of homelessness support available across BCP, applying your faith in a practical and caring way.

For more information please contact David Chidwick on 01202 429037, or email supportercare@faith-works.org.uk

Project: Poole Town Pastors
Location: Poole town centre or Upper Parkstone
Time Commitment: 1 or 2 Saturdays a month (Poole town centre), 2.30pm – 4.30pm and occasional festivals, or a weekday afternoon (Upper Parkstone), 2.30pm – 4.30pm

Role Description: you will join a team of Christians from local churches. This team is committed to help calm any tensions, provide practical and emotional support when required.  Town Pastors come alongside young people, the homeless, elderly and lonely, to show our faith and pray with anyone who asks. Training and a uniform is provided.

Key Attributes Needed: be able to listen without being judgemental.

You will gain experience in: listening skills, being part of a team and supporting the general public.

*For further information contact: John Ainsworth by emailing pooletownpastors@gmail.com or phoning 01202 738615.

Project: Bournemouth Town Pastors
Location: Bournemouth town centre
Time Commitment: Saturday, 10pm – Sunday, 2am once a month

Role Description: patrol the town centre of Bournemouth on Saturday nights, helping anyone in need out in the night-time economy. You will be part of a team of either 3 or 4 men/women, with a distinctive uniform, carrying a lightweight bag containing supplies such as water, flip flops, foil blankets etc.

Key Attributes Needed: be compassionate and non-judgemental

You Will Gain Experience in: being part of a team and frontline support for those out in the night-time economy.

For further information contact: Chris on 07999 484989 or email chrismcdermott@bournemouthtownpastors.org.uk