Jobs & Volunteering

Step 1: Complete an application form and send it back to us

Step 2: Come in for an informal chat to help us find out more about you, and we’ll explain the role you’re interested in

Step 3: We’ll check your references and… voila! You are ready to go. Your assigned supervisor will be in touch to arrange a start date

Step 4: Complete an induction pack to ensure you are covered by our insurance and you understand our volunteer agreement.

Step 5: You get stuck in and enjoy yourself!

Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, learn new skills, give back to the community and boost your confidence. Why not give it a go?

#volunteer #apply now

Bethany provides a suite of services which support people struggling with issues of homelessness helping them to: find suitable accommodation and furnish their homes, tackle addictions, learn new skills and gain employment, develop positive social networks and become active members of their local communities. This role is part of Homelessness Prevention.

Summary of the role:

Bridge to Freedom is a Christian community-based recovery group for men and women aged 18 years and over who are suffering from substance addiction and are looking to establish abstinence and make positive changes in their lives. The programme’s 45 sessions cover topics such as identity, honesty, managing negative thoughts, freedom, self-esteem, forgiveness and relationships. Volunteers are required to help support the Recovery and Resettlement Worker at the groups, by providing a listening ear and encouragement, contributing to group discussion, as well as helping practically at the venue with setting up rooms and providing refreshments. Depending on experience, there may also be opportunity to help with some 1-2-1 support.

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 working with adults who may have a variety of additional support needs. Ideally, a volunteer would have experience of working with individuals facing addiction issues and struggling with their mental health.
• The role may be challenging, and so the volunteer must be patient, understanding, non- judgemental and willing to be proactive in engendering a positive environment.
• Volunteers must complete the necessary and induction for this role.

Location and Pattern of Hours:

There are various groups at different locations. Volunteers must indicate the group they wish to join, while understanding that this may not always be possible due to the current volunteer capacity. Volunteers must attend one group consistently.

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. Weekly or fortnightly commitment is expected for a period of at least 6 months.

Edinburgh:

• Tron Kirk, Moredun (more details on request)Thursdays, 2-4pm
• Gorebridge Parish Church (more details on request), Fridays, 2-4pm

Glasgow:

• Tuesdays, 2-4pm. Further details on request.

Aberdeen and Inverness:

• Details on request.

We are looking for trustworthy and compassionate individuals to befriend a person who is socially isolated in Edinburgh and may also struggle with addiction, homelessness and mental health issues. The aim is to create a healthy, meaningful relationship, including encouraging and practically helping your befriendee to make at least 2 community connections. You must be person of Christian faith, with a live and active local Church connection. This role will require a PVG check.

General responsibilities:

• To develop a companionship level relationship with your befriendee;
• To accompany your befriendee to social activities and community groups in Edinburgh;
• To participate in induction and on-going training as appropriate and adhere to all procedures and policies
• To send number of hours you spend with the befriendee, on a monthly basis, to Community East Support Administrator

Pattern of hours:

• We do not have a fixed number of hours but recommend, in the early stages, staying with the befriendee when visiting a new community group for the whole time, then gradually reducing your time.
• It may be necessary, for the first 2-3 months, to meet up with the befriendee for 1.5 – 2 hours every 1-2 weeks to build a relationship before taking them to a group.

If this sounds like something you could do, fill out the online form and send it to volunteers@bethanychristiantrust.com. For more information please download our Passing the Baton information booklet or watch our video.