Bridge to Freedom Volunteer — Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness, Dundee

Homelessness is experienced for many reasons, including loneliness, poor mental health, addiction, and family breakdown. Our Homelessness Prevention teams help address these issues, build resilience and strengthen communities. Bethany’s Community Development Workers run drop-ins, groups, and recovery programmes across Scotland, connecting people to support networks and services. This volunteer opportunity supports that vital work in the community, helping Bethany Christian Trust in its big vision of “ending homelessness one person at a time.”

General responsibilities

• Help to set up the room for use during the group and prepare refreshments. After the group has finished, the volunteer is also expected to assist in cleaning and housekeeping. For this reason, a volunteer should arrive on time and give as much notice as possible if they are unable to volunteer. 
• Help to make the individuals attending the group feel welcomed and comfortable, whilst also maintaining appropriate boundaries. This can be through serving food and drinks, chatting during the breaks and contributing to the group discussion.
• Signpost individuals, who are seeking additional support, to Bethany Christian Trust staff.
• Alert a staff member of any concerns about an individual or situation within the group.

Important pre-requisites for the role

• Be 18 years old or over.
• Be a person of Christian faith, rooted in a Church community.
• Be aware of, and able to demonstrate, good confidentiality and boundaries practice.
• Be able to operate under the guidance and support of the Bethany Christian Trust staff.
• Be sociable and have an approachable manner.
• Have good time management and organisational skills.
• This role requires all attendees, including volunteers, to be vulnerable and open. Volunteers should be comfortable with this, and have healthily processed any trauma or experiences that may be touched upon in such a group. This is to ensure that the focus remains on the clients, and that volunteers are able to support clients using the context of their experience.
• The role may be challenging, and so the volunteer must be patient, understanding, non- judgemental and willing to be proactive in helping to foster a positive environment.
• Volunteers must complete the necessary induction for this role.
• PVG check (Adults) required

Location and Pattern of Hours:

There are various groups at different locations across Scotland. Volunteers should indicate the group they wish to join, while understanding that this may not always be possible due to the current volunteer capacity. Volunteers are encouraged to attend one group consistently. There is a rota in place meaning that volunteers will usually help out 2 or 3 times a month.

Bridge to Freedom groups are 2-hours long, with an expectation that volunteers will arrive early to help set up and also clear away at the end.

More details about the groups are available on request.

Edinburgh:

Leith, Mondays, 2-4pm
City Centre, Thursdays, 2-4pm

Dundee:

Menzieshill, Thursdays, 1.30-3.30pm
Downfield Mains, Fridays, 11.30-1.30pm

Glasgow:

Tuesdays, 2-4pm.

Aberdeen and Inverness:

Details on request.

Bridge to Freedom Role Description