Jigsaw Visitors' Centre


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Volunteer Opportunities

Are you interested in Volunteering at the Visitors Centre? You will get to meet new people and make friends. Hours are flexible & FREE training is provided

VOLUNTEER ROLES

 

We need volunteers who have strong people skills – i.e. being non judgemental, approachable, warm, friendly and able to strike up rapport quickly with families who are often feeling uncertain.  These skills apply across all our volunteering groups.

 

GENERAL VOLUNTEER

Provides support for families visiting their loved ones at HMP Leeds.  This can cover general support – providing information and also serving refreshments in the Blue Pepper café.  This role is often a good way for volunteers to start working with the Centre.

Skills & Development Opportunities

Serving refreshments

Providing information

Able to work under pressure

Operating a computerised till

Stock taking

Working within Health & Safety and Environmental Health guidelines

FAMILY SUPPORT VOLUNTEER

Provides specific support for families in the Centre, in the Courts and in the community.  Has an understanding of  Prison systems and can respond to queries either over the phone or face-to-face.  Family Support workers can also build contacts with useful agencies who can help families in the community.

Skills & Development Opportunities

Exposure to the Courts system and sentencing (accompanied by a trained worker)

Providing information for families to ease their uncertainty

Building rapport and helping families to identify their concerns

Developing Action Plans to take issues forward

Befriending support for families in the community

Signposting to relevant support agencies

Supporting Jigsaw staff on the delivery of Family Days in the Prison

Possible involvement in play activities with children

 

DEVELOPMENT VOLUNTEERS

Provides an opportunity for volunteers with specific skills to contribute to service development initiatives – e.g. working on projects linked to health, parenting, familywork, childcare, building links with relevant agencies in the community, recruiting volunteers etc.

Skills & Development Opportunities

Having a good foundation of understanding on the work that Jigsaw does and engaging with support agencies to take development projects forward

Partnership work, possibly involving placements in other organisation

Project work

CAFÉ VOLUNTEERS

An excellent opportunity for volunteers who enjoy building relationships with new contacts.  Families really value the Community Café in the Centre and also the Tea & Coffee Bar service in the Prison Visits Room.  By helping with this service you may find eventually that you want to build up your skills as a Family Support volunteer!

Skills & Development Opportunities

Operating a computerised till

Stock control and cashing up

Building rapport with families so that we can help them with their issues

Providing a valuable service

 For further information on volunteering contact Rita Hindley on 0113 2032511


Click here to access the Jigsaw Visitors' Centre Volunteer Information Pack, Application forms & History and role of a Visitors Centre