g
n
i
r
e
e
t
n
volu with
e
r
a
u
q
s
r
fou
Opportunities information pack
Find out more at www.foursquare.org.uk/volunteering
Contents
Welcome to Four Square
3
How We Help
4
What are the Benefits of Volunteering? 5
Your commitment to us
6
Our commitment to you
6
Volunteering Opportunities:
7
n
Connected – Learning & Employability8
n
EFI Superstores – Used furniture social enterprise10
n
Number 20 – Supported accommodation for young women aged 16-21
n
Stopover – Emergency accommodation for young people aged 16-2113
n
Corporate Services –
2
PR, marketing, fundraising, web, social media & other key services
12
15
Training Opportunities
16
How to Volunteer
18
Contacts
20
Find out more at www.foursquare.org.uk/volunteering
Welcome to
Every year our charity helps hundreds of disadvantaged people
in Edinburgh and beyond to overcome the barriers they face.
Volunteers play a vital role in our charity. Without the countless hours
they contribute to our essential work we wouldn’t be able to provide
our support, advice, shelter and employability to some of the most
disadvantaged people in our society.
Volunteering can also be a very rewarding experience for you the
volunteer. It can help you develop new skills, refresh existing ones and
introduce you to a wide range of new opportunities. There is also the
great feeling you get from being part of a team making a difference to
people lives.
This information pack is intended as an introduction to Four Square, its
services and some of the opportunities we offer our volunteers. We hope
it will help to answer many of the questions you may have but if not, one
of our Service Managers, listed on the back page, will help you with any
other questions you may have.
We look forward to helping you, help us to help people in need.
Great
Advice
Thank
You
free
uplift
A safe
place
very
helpful
a
fresh
start
quality
service
Find out more at www.foursquare.org.uk/volunteering
back on
my feet
A Place
to stay
3
How we help
Four Square provides accommodation, advice & advocacy services,
education & training and practical support to homeless and other
vulnerable groups in Edinburgh.
Those services include:
Accommodation & Support
n
Stopover (Emergency accommodation for young people aged 16-21)
n
Number 20 (Supported accommodation for young women aged 16-21)
n
Follow Up (Visiting tenancy support service for ages 16+)
Advice & Advocacy
n
EHAP (Housing information, money advice, advocacy services)
n
Prison Outreach (Housing advice, information and advocacy for people in prison)
Enterprise & Sustainability
n
EFI ( Collecting and selling donated furniture and white goods through their social
enterprise superstores)
Learning & Employability
n
Connected (Employability support services for unemployed and
disadvantaged people)
4
Find out more at www.foursquare.org.uk/volunteering
What are the Benefits
of Volunteering?
Almost anyone can become a volunteer, all you need is enthusiasm,
commitment... and some time to spare.
The greatest benefit of volunteering is that it leaves you feeling satisfied
that you are helping others.
Other benefits include:
n
The opportunity to do doing something worthwhile
n
An opportunity be productive with your spare time
n
Learning new skills and/or developing your existing skills
n
Opportunities to meet new people and make new friends
n
Opening gateways to other opportunities
n
Experience which looks great on your CV
n
Provision of travel expenses and lunch if you
volunteer for more than 5 hours in a day
Volu nt e
er
Volu nt e
up
t EF I S
a
r
e
k
r
e r wo
wo r k e r
at EF I
Su pe rsto
re
e rstore
Find out more at www.foursquare.org.uk/volunteering
5
Your commitment to us
We need to work safely and as a team if we want to achieve our goals, so we
have some expectations from our volunteers. As a volunteer you agree to:
n
Abide to Four Square’s values, policies and procedures
n
Attend induction training
n
n
n
n
F
ollow all Health and Safety Policies so that all staff and volunteers
are working in a safe and secure environment
That you wear all protective clothing provided at all times when required
W
ork in such a way that promotes Four Square and the services it
provides in a positive manner
You are reliable and punctual in attending the volunteering hours as agreed
Our Commitment to You
We value our volunteers highly and are committed to ensuring that your
volunteer experience is rewarding and enjoyable. We aim to achieve this
through providing:
n
A full induction programme
n
Training appropriate to the tasks to be undertaken
n
Clear lines of communication
n
Support and supervision from line management
n
A pleasant, safe and secure working environment
n
Recognition for your achievement
n
6
Provision of travel expenses and lunch when you volunteer
for more than 5 hours in a day
Find out more at www.foursquare.org.uk/volunteering
Volunteering Opportunities
Many of our important services have an ever present need for volunteers.
Other services needs fluctuate dependent on a whole range of factors,
many outwith their control.
You can find a complete list of our services current requirements by visiting
www.foursquare.org.uk/volunteering
Below is a list of some of our services who are always on the look out for
volunteers. Check out the following pages to find out more about them
and some of their volunteering opportunities.
Number 20
Stopover
Corporate Services
Find out more at www.foursquare.org.uk/volunteering
7
Learning & Employability Training
Connected provides a broad range of skills
development opportunities, work-focused training
and flexible employability support for unemployed
and disadvantaged people in Edinburgh.
Connected provides the following benefits:
n
Access to individually tailored learning and employability support
n
Supported routes into education, training, volunteering and work
n
The opportunity for agencies to add value to existing support
Connected offer the following services:
Employability skills coaching and person-centred guidance, advocacy and
support for unemployed people and disadvantaged individuals of working age.
A range of training programmes designed to develop personal
effectiveness, motivation, skills and employability.
A 13-week work preparation programme for young adults aged 16 to 30,
incorporating accredited work skills and competencies training, a practical
work placement and dedicated progression support.
Training covering a range of practical work skills, including: customer
service, manual handling and workplace health & safety.
Connected is located at the Four Square Hub.
8
Find out more at www.foursquare.org.uk/volunteer-connected
Volunteering Opportunities
with Connected
Administrator
A volunteer administrator will help staff to manage a busy workload
through taking telephone calls and inputing data into our Management
Information System.
Group Work Assistant
A volunteer group worker will help a group trainer to prepare and deliver
training to groups. Tasks will include photo copying, taking the register
and assisting the project worker to manage the groups.
Con n e
ct
JUM ed cli e nt s o
PS TA
R T co n t h e
u rs e
Find out more at www.foursquare.org.uk/volunteer-connected
9
Raising Funds by Selling Donated Furniture
EFI sells quality used furniture and appliances that have
been donated by the residents of Edinburgh. Every day
people from all over the city visit one of our two used
furniture superstores to grab themselves a bargain.
Raising Funds
Each EFI furniture store is run by a manager who is supported by paid
staff and a team of volunteers. We sell a wide range of household & office
furniture and appliances. The money we raise goes towards supporting
the many other Four Square services which help homeless and
disadvantaged people Edinburgh.
All income raised locally, stays locally
Free furniture pick-up service
EFI runs a free van service all over Edinburgh to pick-up donated furniture
and appliances, which is then taken to our furniture stores. These vans
also provide a competitively priced delivery service to our customers.
Help for those who need it
EFI also provides an Assist scheme card which gives people who are on
low incomes or benefits a substantial discount on our furniture. The card
is available city wide through our network of caring partner organisations.
EFI is located at Four Square Hub and Sighthill.
for a free uplift
CALL:
10
0131 557 7900
Find out more at www.foursquare.org.uk/volunteer-efi
Volunteering Opportunities
with EFI
Due to the nature of its activities, EFI is ideally suited for volunteers of
varying ages, skills and availability. These opportunities include:
Van Drivers
Driving the vans to collect donations and deliver furniture to customers.
Van Assistants
Volunteering alongside the drivers to collect donations and deliver
furniture to customers.
Warehouse Assistants
Volunteering in the warehouse to keep it neat and tidy and help to ensure
that the furniture is in good condition before it goes on sale to the public.
Also helping to deliver a good service to our customers.
Electrical PAT testing
Opportunity for people to develop their skills in the testing of electrical
appliances.
Note: while no experience is required for any of the above opportunities the type
of skills needed are:
n
Reasonable fitness for physically handling heavy and items of furniture
n
Communication and customer service skills for dealing with members of the public
Administrative Assistants
We also have opportunities that would suit someone who has good
organisation skills and could support store managers with daily admin tasks.
A good telephone manner and comfortable using a PC are an advantage.
Retail marketing Assistants
We often have opportunities for people with knowledge of sales and
marketing techniques. Duties would include placing ads on our website
and Gumtree, updating and placing promotions on our website as well
as helping to keep in touch with customers with visits, phone and leaflet
distribution. Requires a confident individual with good written and PC skills.
Find out more at www.foursquare.org.uk/volunteer-efi
11
Number 20
Supported Accommodation for young women
Number 20 provides 6 fully furnished bedsits within one
building for young women, aged 16 to 21, who are homeless,
or at risk of homelessness. It is a safe and friendly place to
stay, where young women can develop their skills and
confidence to live independently.
Number 20 is located near Edinburgh’s town centre. The service is staffed
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year round, ensuring the young women
will have support when they need it.
Each young woman has their own Number 20 worker who helps them find
more permanent housing, and offers support in a variety of other areas.
These areas include; health and wellbeing, money management, education,
training and employment opportunities, tenancy preparation, social and
support networks, and accessing other services and resources.
v ice
a ll t h e a d y”
r
fo
s
k
n
a
“T h
o n m y wa
t o h e lp m e
12
Find out more at www.foursquare.org.uk/volunteer-number20
Stopover
Emergency Accommodation
Stopover provides emergency accommodation in Edinburgh
and support for young people who are homeless or at risk.
This service is open to up to 16 individuals, aged between 16 and 21
years inclusive, and can be accessed 24 hours per day 7 days per week.
The users of this service often either contact Stopover directly or ask
someone else to refer them.
Young people can stay for up to 3 months and are allocated a key
member of staff to support them to find more secure accommodation.
Support is also given to access other support services such as health,
benefits, counselling, training and employment opportunities. Stopover
runs a tenancy preparation program to teach and improve skills young
people will need to live independently.
Stopover also provides opportunities for young people to get involved
in a variety of physical activities such as swimming, football, cycling and
going to the gym. Cooking groups are held every week.
Stopover is located in Edinburgh’s West End,
near Haymarket Station.
wit h
e lp in g out
R e s id e nt h g at St opo ve r.
d e co rati n
R e sid e
nt h
food at e l p i n g p re pa
re
St opo v
e r.
Find out more at www.foursquare.org.uk/volunteer-stopover
13
Volunteer Opportunities with
Number 20 & Stopover
Project Assistant and Befriending
As a Befriender, you would take some time to get to know the young
people at Stopover and Number Twenty and offer a listening ear. You may
help a young person become more confident in looking after themselves
and their homes, for example supporting them with shopping, cleaning,
laundry, budgeting, appointments, telephone calls, filling in forms,
applying for courses, training and work. You may help a young person
find out about their rights and opportunities available to them and help
them try new things, for example, accompanying a young person to the
gym, classes, and youth services.
A Project Assistant would be both a befriender and help with reception and
administrative duties, gaining a fuller experience of residential social care.
Specialist Activities
We would welcome volunteers with specialist skills who could offer
training sessions or experiences of new hobbies and interests. For
example, DIY sessions, music workshops, arts and crafts, beauty classes.
Handyperson
There are ongoing repairs and maintenance to be carried out at both
services. If you are a trained electrician or plumber, or a dab hand at
painting, decorating and fixing stuff, we would love to hear from you.
Administrator
If you have experience in administration and would like to offer your
support in this area, please do contact us.
Note: Volunteers at Stopover and Number Twenty need an enhanced PVG Scheme
disclosure check.
14
Find out more at www.foursquare.org.uk/volunteering
Corporate Services
Every charity organisation requires the support from
key functions in order to deliver on front line services...
Four Square is no different.
Opportunities
If you have the time and skills that match any of these opportunities,
we’d like to hear from you.
PR and Marketing
Raising awareness of what we do.
Website
Helping to create and publish content on our website through our
DRUPAL content management system.
Social Media
Keeping everyone updated about what we do on Facebook
& Twitter
Fundraising
Organising activities to help raise money to fund what we do.
Admin
Helping us out in a variety of head office
functions including Finance & HR.
Interested ? Want to find out more ?
Contact us now to find out how you could help us
with these key tasks.
Find out more at www.foursquare.org.uk/volunteering-corporate-services
15
Training Opportunities
Many of our volunteering opportunities come with provision of training
in key skills, skills that can enhance any workplace. These include:
FI Superstore, you will receive a full induction into the company that
E
includes training in:
n
Health and Safety at Work
n
Manual Handling and
n
Customer Service
With services with young people, you will receive training in:
16
n
Maintaining boundaries
n
Confidentiality
Find out more at www.foursquare.org.uk/volunteering
“Co m mi n g
to EF I to
be st t hi n g h e l p out wa s on e o
s I h a ve ev
f
e r don e!” t h e
Frank (above) started helping out at EFI as a volunteer and is now
a member of staff – volunteering can help change peoples lives.
Find out more at www.foursquare.org.uk/volunteering
17
How to volunteer with Four Square
Our volunteers come from lots of different backgrounds including:
n
P
eople with a commitment to helping the city’s homeless
and vulnerable
n
Students
n
Unemployed people looking for work experience
n
Part-time workers
n
Early retirees
n
People looking to get back into the world of work after a career break
Interested ? Want to find out more ?
visit our web site (address below) or phone 0131 557 7930
or email us at [email protected]
Note:
n
n
n
18
Volunteers are recruited to meet specific needs and work
priorities as determined by the Service Manager.
Volunteer involvement beyond the immediate needs of each service
will be considered at the discretion of the Service Manager.
Volunteers must complete the Volunteer Application Form
as part of our recruitment process.
Find out more at www.foursquare.org.uk/volunteering
Find out more at www.foursquare.org.uk/volunteering
19
For further information on any of the opportunities in
this pack please contact the relevant service manager
who will happily discuss the opportunities in more detail.
Connected Service Manager EFI Service Manager
0131 557 7902
[email protected]
0131 557 7909
[email protected]
all
rh
de
head
Bank
Rd
ton
Pl
Water of Leith
nue
ead
Foods
oad
n
Ro
w
d
2
A7
ad
St
l
Ro
ey
g
dn
ana
Rin
Ro
nC
h
rg
bu
Unio
in
Ed
Canonmills
les R
r Hai
ee
Gr
er R
Cald
te
Wes
Ro
v
at
ith
rle
ve
In
t
gh
ou
Br
Burton’s
D
ead
ad
on
d Ave
Bankh
nkh
Ba
l
oad
P
ank
nR
ree
sent
S
khea
d
way
Cross
rb
ave
Be
ie G
Log
n Cre
ce
Terra
head
Bank
Bo
Warris
to
head
Bank
ay
Medw
Ban
l
Mil
ay N
Crossw
head
Bank
way
s Roa
gie
Lo
head
Broad
Rd
Cutlin
ll
rha
Wa
rris
ave
Warriston Playing Fields
Dv
Bank
ead
Be
Rd
Bankh
w
Po
EFI, Connected
EFI
67a Logie Green Road,
Edinburgh EH7 4HF
5 Bankhead Medway,
Edinburgh, EH11 4BY
St
nces
Pri
er
st
e
Ch
St
ick
Pl
dw
an
Sh
on
st
er
lm
Pa
Stopover and No 20
Service Manager
Pl
l
lP
ho
At
Lothia
Torphichen St
n Rd
Morrison St
Ga
rd
Cres
ers
en
t
Dalr
yR
d
ve S
Gro
A8
Stopover
Rd
ch
a
ro
p
Ap
U
n
nio
l
na
Ca
Stopover
St
t
eS
de
n
Du
ge
brid
ntain
Fou
Home
W
0131 221 2293
[email protected]
40 Grove Street,
Edinburgh EH3 8AT
Facebook.com/efiedinburghTwitter.com/efiedinburgh
Four Square is a registered charity. Registered in Scotland No 78319 Scottish Charity No SCO 17242