Do you enjoy having conversations with people from different backgrounds?

Would you like to help people feel more socially connected?

Join the Yarra Library volunteer team.

For more information contact yarralibraries@yarracity.vic.gov.au otherwise get your online expression of interest form in HERE.

Yarra City Council is committed to being a child safe organisation and supports flexible and accessible working arrangements for all.

We draw pride and strength from our diversity, remain open to new approaches and actively foster an inclusive workplace that celebrates the contribution made by all our people.

Our values Accountability, Respect and Courage underpin how we work and our efforts to build a culture based on positive relationships with colleagues and the community.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Chatty Café Scheme is a registered charity that encourages community-focused hospitality and social venues across Australia to provide shared 'Chatty' tables. The Scheme has been rolled out in cafés, pubs, restaurants, community centres, libraries, and hospitals – anywhere people can sit and chat over a coffee. Yarra Libraries incorporated this program in 2022 and it has been successfully run at the Fitzroy branch. 

The Chatty Café Program aims to kickstart conversations, get people talking to increase safe and respectful social connections within a community and possibly reduce loneliness along the way.

The Chatty Café staff are not professional therapists and will be provided with cards listing crisis hotlines for patrons requiring additional support.

ROLE OBJECTIVE

Volunteers will work alongside Yarra Libraries staff to add capacity to the delivery of our library-based Chatty Cafe program.

City of Yarra.VVolunteers will work alongside Yarra Libraries staff to add capacity to the delivery of our library-based Chatty Cafe program.

City of Yarra.VVolunteers will work alongside Yarra Libraries staff to add capacity to the delivery of our library-based Chatty Cafe program.

KEY TASKS

• Assist with the setting up Chatty Café trolley and organising the café space in the library by such tasks as: putting out tea, coffee, hot water urn, flyers –
• Assist with pack down of the Chatty Café by bringing the session to a close, removing trolley, washing dishes, putting away supplies
• Offer information on local social and library services, for example, letting them know that library can offer digital literacy assistance to the patrons who attend the Chatty café. 
• Sit with café users ensuring safe, respectful, enjoyable conversation by stimulating and guiding the conversation as necessary (conversation cards may be used if required).
• Inform library staff when coffee, tea, and other supplies need restocking.

TIME COMMITMENT & LOCATION

Chatty Cafe runs every Monday from 10am - 1pm.

The duration of volunteer's time can be negotiated if there are a few volunteers in this role.

Fitzroy Library, 128 Moor St, Fitzroy Victoria 3065.

KEY REQUIREMENTS/ ATTRIBUTES

 KEY REQUIREMENTS/ ATTRIBUTES 

• You will need to be compassionate, empathetic, comfortable speaking with people, and embrace the idea that everyone has a story to tell.
• Enjoy engaging with a wide variety of people with a diverse social and cultural backgrounds – this may include people with mobility and communication barriers.
• Able to work in a team or autonomously as required.
• Comfortable with the physical requirements of the role including potentially moving some furniture such as chairs or coffee tables.
• Have current police check, Working with Children card (we can support you with these checks).
• Able to commit to a minimum of 6 months.

TRAINING & SUPPORT

All volunteers are required to attend a short induction session about the Chatty Cafe volunteer program and any training specific to your volunteering role to enable you to feel confident in undertaking the tasks.

Compulsory online training modules required for this role includes:

• Volunteering at Council induction (including code of conduct and health and safety)
• Child safety

You will be provided with ongoing support from your Volunteer Supervisor with opportunities for feedback.

ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to:                  Library staff

Internal Liaisons:         All staff and volunteers

External Liaisons:       Members of the public

Partnering organisations

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We will provide you with a Volunteer Handbook, Code of Conduct and Volunteer Agreement. As part of the on-boarding process you will be required to sign to acknowledge that you agree with terms in the Volunteer Agreement.

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