Community Friend Volunteer
Community Friend Program - Friends Needed!
Do you have good social skills? Are you reliable and responsible? Do you like to have fun?
If the answer is yes, and you can commit to 2-3 hours a fortnight over twelve months - Why not volunteer with Melbourne City Mission's Community Friend Program..!
Our program offers social support/friendship for adults with mild to moderate disabilities, including mental health.
Our volunteers give people who need a little support the opportunity to engage with their local community, meet new people and enjoy a social life that most of us take for granted.
The program operates in the Northern and Eastern areas of Melbourne and in the Western City of Brimbank.
We do not require specific qualifications. The qualities we look for in volunteers are;
• A commitment to the Community Friend Program and the participants
(of at least 12 months)
• Maturity and reliability
• Effective communications and social skills
• The ability to be a good role model,
• Ability to focus on the needs of others
• Ability to seek advice as appropriate
• An understanding of the importance of social connections and friendship
The details of the role are:
The primary role of Community Friend Volunteers is to provide support and friendship to participants within the program.
This is achieved by:
- Participating in activities alongside Community Friend participants
- Supporting participants where necessary to ensure they maintain their
independence.
This position is subject to a satisfactory Interview and National Police check. Volunteers who have resided outside of Australia for longer than 12 months in the past 10 years will also be required to provide an International Police Check from the country/s of residence, prior to the interview process.
Application Procedure:-
Step 1: Phone the Community Friend Program to discuss the position and your interest in the program - 9453 8689 OR 9453 8676
Step 2: Following the phone call CFP will send you a Position Description and a document ‘Information for Potential Volunteers’.
Step 3: Once you have read the information provided and have decided you would like to be involved, please contact a co-ordinator and request an application form.
After you have received the application form, please complete and return it. A co-ordinator will then be in touch to arrange a time for an interview.
Step 4: Attend an interview.
The interview usually takes around an hour and is conducted in an informal and relaxed way in our Fitzroy North office. The purpose of the interview is:
• To give you the opportunity to ask any questions about the program and the volunteer role.
• For CFP to learn a little about you, your abilities and interests.
• To discuss the volunteer role and the most suitable way to get you involved.
• If there is a mutual agreement to proceed with your involvement as a Community Friend volunteer, then the necessary paperwork will be completed.
• Please note that all volunteers will be required to undertake a Police record check prior to involvement with CFP. Volunteers who have resided outside of Australia for longer than 12 months in the past 10 years will also be required to provide an international police check from the country/s of residence.
Benefits include:
* Continual support from CFP coordinators
* Invitations to Mid-year and End of year gatherings
* AccessEAP - entitled to 6 free and confidential counselling sessions annually.
AccessEAP is a nationwide EAP (Employee Assistance Program) provider that offers you or your family access to free and confidential face-to-face, video conference or phone counselling sessions at a time and place of your choosing.
* On-going Training opportunities
* Invites to Melbourne City Mission events/Zoom sessions
* Regular Newsletters
* Experience in the disability sector and skill building opportunities
* Being a part of a wonderfully cultured Program
Come and join the Community Friend Program, today..! 😊
