REST Thetford - Hub Volunteer

What does a REST Hub Host Volunteer do ?

Primarily you will be meeting visitors coming in to the main entrance. Your role will be to orientate people to the building and answer general queries about the services and activities available (including the café, library, events and support activities). You will direct and sometimes escort visitors to events and support activities. You will be giving out information and resource materials to the public. You will link visitors who arrive in a state of distress or crisis with a staff member who will provide 1:1 support. You will mostly operate in the entrance area so you will also be responsible for ensuring the area is free of obstruction and remains a welcoming environment 

Who makes an ideal REST Hub Host volunteer?

Hub hosts are there to make people feel welcome and relaxed so you should be the kind of person that enjoys meeting and talking to new people. You will be enthusiastic and have a passion for helping others. Some visitors to REST Thetford may arrive feeling distressed so it is very important that our hosts are able to listen with empathy and link those individuals with a staff member for 1:1 support without delay. Training will be given but it would help if you had some awareness and understanding of mental health. 

Meeting all visitors coming to the hub from the main entrance.

Directing people to activities and services happening within The Hub

Giving out information and resource materials.

Linking visitors who have arrived feeling overwhelmed or distressed to staff members who can provide 1:1 support.   

Ensuring the entrance area remains clear and welcoming at all times.

Hours of opening are Monday – Friday 9.30am – 4.30pm. Volunteers will be able to choose attendance times to suit their availability. 

Training and Support

In addition to an Organisational and a Service Induction

·       Moving and Lifting

·       Safety at Work

·       Safeguarding

·       Professional Boundaries

·       Equality and Diversity

·       Prevent

·       Named contact

·       Regular catch ups 

·       MHFA (when available) 

Knowledge and Experience required :

You will be good at talking to people and adapting your approach to suit the situation

You will be able to listen carefully and confirm you have understood

You will understand the difference between being friendly and becoming a friend

You will be respectful of others and able to maintain confidentiality

An awareness and understanding of mental health issues would be an advantage

Previous experience in a role where you had to interact with the public (events, libraries, receptions) would be helpful

Skills needed:

·      Able to create connections with people

·      Clear communicator

·      Able to listen attentively

·      Adaptable and flexible

·      Ability to maintain confidentiality

Personal Attributes needed:

·      Polite and friendly

·      Patient

·      Non-judgemental

·      Reliable and punctual

·      Positive outlook

·      Personal resilience that helps you to look after your own physical and

mental wellbeing    

 We would expect a hub host to do the following :

• Ability to travel independently
• Familiar with email and phone use
• Happy to make a regular commitment. Volunteers will be expected to attend at least once a week but could choose to come more than once a week as a Hub Host. 
• Hub hosts may be asked to support public activities taking place in the café encouraging participation and helping with setting up or clearing up

REST is open to all, so if you are able to speak more than one language including BSL we’d love to hear from you.

We will support you by providing the following training and support:-

·      MHFA

·      Moving and Lifting

·      Safety at Work

·      Professional Boundaries

·      Safeguarding Adults

·      Prevent

·      Equality and Diversity

·      Named contact

·      Regular catch-ups

De-brief sessions as needed  

If this volunteering position is of interest to you, please do get in touch, we would love to hear from you!