Street Outreach Driver Volunteer (Homeless Service)

What’s involved?

Accompany and support Day Centre Project worker staff on street outreach – this will ordinarily be between the hours of 6.30am and 8am on three-weekday morning each week. At no time will the volunteers in this role be volunteering alone. At all times they will be accompanied by a Project worker.
Engage with people who are rough sleeping and communicate to them information on where and how to access supports in Galway City.
Provide food and refreshments to those sleeping rough in the city.
Distribute items such clothing items including gloves and hats etc as required.
Keep a record of the numbers and locations of rough sleepers and generate records as required under the guidance of the Day Centre Project Workers.
Keep yourself safe at all times in the course of street outreach activities.
Respect the wishes of people rough sleeping, in terms of their engagement or otherwise, with the street outreach work you are involved in.

Location: Galway City Centre

Times: 6.30am-8am/7.30pm-10pm (minimum one shift) as specified

Commitment: One shift weekly. Minimum 6 months

Responsible to: Project Worker

Level of English required: Fluent. Other languages would also be of considerable benefit.

Service description  

Teach Corrib Day Centre works with individuals who are experiencing homelessness in Galway City and County, including the provision of information and referral to accommodation and mainstream services and assistance is securing long-term accommodation. Food and access to washing and laundry facilities are available. One of the target groups of the service are people who are rough sleeping and as part of the response to this need some street outreach takes place a number of mornings each week with the aim of engaging with and sign posting people who are rough sleeping to where and how they can access services and supports.

Special Requirements

Qualified driver with own car, full clean Irish driving licence (to drive COPE Galway vehicle).
There will be lifting in this role (refreshments).

Experience, Education & Training

Some experience in a similar or comparable role preferable but not essential.
Have worked with socially marginalised and disadvantaged in the past.
Social care or community work preferable but not essential.
First Aid trained preferable.

What we would like from you

Willingness to work within the values and policies of COPE Galway.
The volunteer conducts him/herself in a professional manner and maintains a respectful and courteous manner in dealing with clients.
The volunteer will maintain confidentiality in respect of all matters which come to their knowledge while volunteering.
Volunteers should not undertake duties outside this role description without checking first with their Volunteer Supervisor.
Volunteers should adhere to the COPE Galway Code of Conduct 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: Trauma Informed Practice (online module), ‘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

Successful applicants will be offered the volunteer role subject to the following.

2 completed reference checks.
A declaration of suitability for volunteering in roles that support children and vulnerable persons must be signed before commencing volunteering. Volunteers commencing with COPE Galway are subject to a trial period.

Our Values, Our Work, Our People

COPE Galway is committed to becoming 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 to help us achieve our vision of a community where every person is safe, connected and has the opportunity to thrive. Our People are supported by regular support and guidance, and access to our Employee/Volunteer Assistance Programme.