Menzieshill Connect Café Volunteer — 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 set up the hall for use during the café, and prepare food and drinks. During the café the volunteer would assist in serving food and drink. 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 make individuals attending the cafe to feel welcomed and comfortable. This can be through serving food and drinks, facilitating activities or having a chat. The volunteer should balance this with being aware of boundaries.
• Encourage and support those who use the café who are also looking to help out at the café.
• At times, and where appropriate, a volunteer may need to take the lead on preparing and/or supervising an activity, though always with the supervision and support of the Community Development Worker. Volunteers are encouraged to use their knowledge and skills to support Bethany staff in developing the café.
• Signpost individuals, who are seeking support, to staff or to other relevant services.
• Alert a staff member in the café if there are concerns about an individual or situation within the group.

Important pre-requisites for the role

• For the kitchen role, experience in a commercial kitchen is an asset. Volunteers for the kitchen should have a relevant Food Safety certificate or be prepared to go through this training.
• Volunteers must be confident, friendly and encouraging.
• Volunteers who also use the Café may be nervous or unsure as they learn. Bethany volunteers should be sensitive to this and support as necessary.
• The role may vary week to week. Volunteers should be adaptable and able to take initiative.
• Though the role does not require the volunteer to be a Christian, they must be aware and respectful of the Christian ethos upon which Bethany Christian Trust is founded.

Location:

Menzieshill Parish Church,
Charleston Drive,
Menzieshill, Dundee, DD2 4BD

Pattern of hours:

Volunteers are needed on a Wednesday 11:00am – 3:30pm

Connect Cafe Role Description