Workshop Facilitator

About the opportunity 

Our refuges provide safe accommodation and support to adults experiencing domestic abuse and their children. We currently operate seven refuges in various locations across Norfolk and it is our priority to make sure families feel as comfortable as possible. Our activity programme is designed to enhance wellbeing, increase confidence and create positive social sessions. 

Volunteers are an important and valued part of Leeway. We offer you:  

  •   An introduction to the charity and your team/project/role  

  •   Any training for your role, as stated in the role description  

  •   After three months of your help on a regular weekly basis, we can supply a reference  

  •   Support, feedback, appreciation and encouragement  

  •   To solve any problems as best we can  

  •   Free refreshments when you are on shift  

  •   Respect your dignity and treat you with kindness  

  •   Make use of your skills and talents and help you to develop new ones, if desired  

  •   Reimburse you for your travel expenses up to £15.  

  •   Ensure volunteering opportunities best suit your needs and Leeway’s needs  

  •   Keep you up-to-date with information concerning your role and the charity  

  •   A safe volunteering environment including covering you with insurance whilst you are      

      volunteering  

  •   Equal opportunities and fairness  

  •   Protect your personal information, holding it confidentially.  

What are we looking for? 

Volunteers to provide a range of activities for the residents and children living in our refuges. These vary from arts and crafts sessions, cooking/meal planning, support groups, gardening, meditation, coffee mornings, and wellbeing, depending on individual volunteer knowledge, skills and expertise. We are looking for volunteers who can work responsibly and confidently with vulnerable people.  

Skills: 

• Knowledge, experience and or qualification in a particular activity  
• An enthusiastic and friendly approach  
• An optimistic outlook 
• A caring and non-judgemental nature 
• Good listening and communication skills 
• Patience and tact 
• Ability to maintain confidentiality 
• Encouraging of others  
• Ability to work on own initiative  
• Can stay calm and diffuse difficult situations  
• Reliability and flexibility. 

Tasks: 

• Planning, organising and facilitating workshops for residents and their children currently living in the refuge. The activity would depend on the specialist area of the volunteer 
• Setting up activities, providing support, facilitation and tidying away at the end 
• Being part of a committed and enthusiastic team of staff and volunteers.  

Practical Considerations 

Location: Our location is confidential; we will disclose the locations once a confidentiality form is completed. 

Hours: This could be a one-off event, weekly or monthly workshop. The sessions would be run at a mutually convenient time during the hours the refuge is staffed (between 9:30am – 6:30pm weekdays). Time commitment would include: planning, setting up the workshop, facilitating the group and tidying away. 

Support:  We provide full support and guidance while you are volunteering and offer travel expenses. 

Training: You will be given an induction to the charity, which includes Domestic Abuse Awareness training.  

Basic DBS Checks will be completed when working in refuge