About the opportunity
We’re looking to grow our team at the Volunteer Centre to support individuals who want to volunteer to find meaningful ways to offer their time in our community. Our Volunteers are the first point of contact for people accessing the centre and need to
be reliable, friendly and enjoy helping people. You are the matchmakers who find the perfect role for our applicants and provide indispensible support for our member organisations by filling their volunteering vacancies.
The role is very varied and provides volunteers with a wide range of skills and experience in a busy office of a thriving local charity.
What will I be doing?
Tasks that a volunteer role might include are listed below to give an example of the work that we do, but we’re keen to hear from anyone who can be flexible and wants to make a difference.
- Working on reception answering telephone calls and dealing with enquiries from individuals and organisations
- Greeting visitors to our centres and hubs, establishing the purpose of their visit and providing them with information or ensuring they are looked after by the right member of the team as appropriate
- Using our extensive volunteering database, assisting with volunteer registration and processing volunteer applications using an online recruitment system
- Responding to emails
- Creating suitable portfolios of volunteering opportunities that match the interests, skills and availability of each client
- Promoting the work of the Volunteer Centre in the local community
- Assisting us with our social media strategy
- Supporting our pop-up volunteer centre hubs
About the Organisation
Since being created in 2009 from a merger of two community organisations within Hertsmere, Communities 1st has grown into a successful charitable organisation with strong links to the communities in which we work.
Communities 1st aims to develop and promote a healthier and more thriving community by supporting and enabling people to become more actively involved in the community. We encourage individual volunteering and support groups working to achieve benefits for our community.
Our specific projects have been supported by reputable funders such as the National Lottery, European Social Fund, Hertfordshire County Council, Hertsmere Borough Council and Affinity Sutton Housing as well as many local businesses.
We involve volunteers in a variety of roles and have something to suit all skills, talents, interests and availability. You will be valued and supported in whichever role you decide to undertake and the chances are you'll have fun too!
What are they looking for?
We are looking for someone with the following skills and experience
- Committed to working with the community with a passion for helping others.
- Good written skills able to speak confidently with variety of stakeholders
- Ability to maintain confidentiality
- Ability to monitor and maintain own standards and pay attention to detail
- Good interpersonal skills
- Flexible approach and willingness to work as part of a team
- Confident and proficient computer users
- Ability to work independently and ask for clarification when needed
- We ask volunteers to be able to commit to at least three hours a week for a minimum period of 3 months but we can be quite flexible
Practical Considerations
This opportunity is suitable for those people who would like to get office based experience.
No formal qualifications or prior guiding experience are required to volunteer with us.
We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and abilities.
A full charity induction will be given before the volunteer starts with us and ongoing training is offered depending on which event you are working on.
Primarily office based but our systems fully support remote working.
Two Independent references are required for this role.
Please apply asap as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Volunteers MUST be over 16 (or be accompanied by an adult if under 16).
You should ideally be able to commit to at least three hours a week for a minimum period of 3 months but we can be quite flexible
Benefits:
- Once a reasonable number of sessions have been completed we will be happy to provide a reference.
- Gain basic office skills, with an opportunity to progress into more varied roles.
- Out of pocket expenses reimbursed.
- Satisfaction of helping people
- Positive work environment, part of the friendly Communities 1st team
- Training in Equality and Diversity, Customer Service