Volunteer

Description

Overview of role: We are recruiting volunteers to assist our drivers in the collection and delivery of furniture and clothing donations.

PLEASE NOTE: ** This role requires heavy lifting and moving furniture**

Location: Limited Edition, Newtownsmith Galway H91 HY4E

Times: (Chose day and time available) Tuesday/Wednesday 10am-4pm, or Tuesday/Wednesday 10am-1pm or 1-4pm.

Commitment: 6 month minimum commitment 

Reporting to: Charity Shop Manager  

Level of English required: Intermediate 

 

COPE Galway supports individuals and families across Galway through homelessness, domestic abuse, and senior support services. Our charity shops help fund this vital work, with volunteers playing a key role in making it all possible.

Our Values, Our Work, Our People

Our Vision is a community where every person is valued, cared for, and supported at every stage of life.

Our Mission is to make a difference by empowering people, creating change and strengthening communities. We understand, respect and respond to the needs of our clients who are always at the forefront of our work. 

COPE Galway is committed to been a Trauma Informed Organisation through an implementation plan that includes training for all staff and volunteers across all roles and departments. 

Everything we do is guided by the COPE Galway Approach (Understanding/Response/Strong Human Relationships) which help us achieve our vision of a community where every person is valued, cared for and supported at every stage of life. 

Our People are supported by regular support and guidance, and access to our Employee/Volunteer Assistance Programme.

 

Service description

The COPE Galway Charity Shop is run by a paid manager, assistant manager and a team of volunteers, who kindly donate their time and effort. 

The shop sells donated ladies’, men’s and children’s clothes, accessories and jewellery, books, CDs/DVDs. The shop is a vital source of revenue for our services. 

 

What’s involved? 

Key tasks:

·        Assist with furniture collections and deliveries in Galway City and County

·        Careful and respectful handling of all goods to ensure minimum losses

·        Ensure great care is taken when carrying furniture into and from customers’ homes

** This role requires heavy lifting and moving furniture**

**Manual Handling Training must be completed before volunteering** (Training will be provided)

We encourage our shop volunteers to develop an understanding of all aspects of the shop's work so that they can support the whole team as necessary. 

The duties outlined in this job description may be subject to review in the future.  

 

Personal Specification

•        Honest and reliable with a warm and friendly manner

•        Careful attention to detail

•        Good communication skills

•        Ability to understand and apply health and safety requirements

·        Have an interest in the shop and an enthusiasm for raising money through its work

•        An understanding of the work of Cope Galway

•        We welcome volunteers with experience but it’s not essential

 

What will you get out of it?

•        Join a fun, welcoming team while meeting and working with new people

•        The opportunity to develop social and experiential competencies such as

o   Developing knowledge and gaining practical experience relative to this role

o  Gaining customer service skills

•        References available once the minimum commitment has been made

•        The option to access other training courses as appropriate to the role

•        The opportunity to contribute to a local Galway charity and help us realise our vision of creating a community where every person is valued, cared for and supported at every stage of life

•        Great personal satisfaction since you can make a real difference to our service users

 

What we would like from you

•        Willingness to work within the values and policies of COPE Galway

•        Carry out your role in professional manner and maintain a respectful and courteous manner in dealing with clients

•        Maintain confidentiality in respect of all matters which come to their knowledge while volunteering

•        Please do not undertake duties outside this role description without checking first with your Volunteer Manager/Lead Worker

•        Adhere to the “Volunteer Agreement” which includes their rights and responsibilities as outlined in our Volunteer Handbook

 

Will there be induction and training?

·        You will receive a local induction and introduction to the role before you start.

·        You will be offered service specific training required for the role.

·        Other training includes:

o  Trauma Informed Practice (online module)

o  ‘Stop & Think’ Reflective Workshops

·        You will have the opportunity to participate in ‘On-boarding Induction’ with fellow volunteers and staff.

·        Cope Galway will provide ongoing support and supervision through one-to-one and group meetings which you will be informed about while you are volunteering.

 

Recruitment Process 

• Application processed 
• Manual Handling Certificate must be in place before commencement - training will be provided if required 
• The interview takes place as arranged by the hiring manager 
• Successful applicants will be offered the volunteer role subject to signing the COPE Galway Volunteer Agreement and 2 Reference Checks (one of whom must be resident in Ireland)  
• Induction and Orientation prior to commencement 
• Volunteers commencing with COPE Galway are subject to a trial period 

 

General information

Volunteers should not undertake duties outside this role description without checking first with their Volunteer Supervisor.

Volunteers are requested to adhere to the ‘Volunteer Agreement’ which includes their rights and responsibilities as outlined in our Volunteer Handbook.

Is training provided?: Yes

Tasks that the volunteer(s) will be expected to undertake:

What’s involved? 

Key tasks:

·        Assist with furniture collections and deliveries in Galway City and County

·        Careful and respectful handling of all goods to ensure minimum losses

·        Ensure great care is taken when carrying furniture into and from customers’ homes

** This role requires heavy lifting and moving furniture**

**Manual Handling Training must be completed before volunteering** (Training will be provided)

Skills required for this role:

Personal Specification

•        Honest and reliable with a warm and friendly manner

•        Careful attention to detail

•        Good communication skills

•        Ability to understand and apply health and safety requirements

·        Have an interest in the shop and an enthusiasm for raising money through its work

•        An understanding of the work of Cope Galway

•        We welcome volunteers with experience but it’s not essential

Details of time commitment needed for role:
Location: Limited Edition, Newtownsmith Galway H91 HY4E Times: Tuesday/Wednesday 10am-4pm, or Tuesday/Wednesday 10am-1pm or 1-4pm. Reporting to: Charity Shop Manager Level of English required: Intermediate

Minimum time commitment per week:
3 hour p/week

Additional screening required for this role:
PLEASE NOTE: ** This role requires heavy lifting and moving furniture**