The Community Services Programme aims to improve the quality of life for people living in the community. The generosity, kindness, time and skills of our volunteers deliver a service that is well received.
There is an increase in demand of our services and support so we are continuously looking for new volunteers to join our friendly team.
As a volunteer you will have a fulfilling experience helping our community. You could gain or build upon existing skills, friendship, confidence, work experience and team-work. There are also opportunities for free training. The volunteer roles we offer are interesting, flexible, and worthwhile. See below for further details.
Currently we have a particular need for volunteers to help with our Signpost service, the Credit Union collection point, Furniture Project and also supporting volunteers with additional needs for our Munch ‘n’ Lunch sessions and Activities club.
Our volunteer roles typically require the following time:
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Signpost: Monday – Friday, a morning (10:00 – 12:30) or afternoon (12:30 – 15:00) once a week or more. Can you spare 2 ½ hours a week to help our community with information and practical help?
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Credit Union: Every Thursday 10:00 – 11:30. Can you spare 1 ½ hours to help people in our community save with confidence? (Our popular Coffee Morning takes place during this time)
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Munch ‘n’ Lunch: A friendly atmosphere where people can meet with old or make new friends while enjoying a light, healthy, and reasonably-priced lunch or just coffee and home-made cake. Officially opened by the Mayor on 20th, September, 2011. Every Tuesday from 10:00 until 14:00.
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Coffee Break: Every Thursday 10:00 – 12:00. Can you spare 2 hours to help ladies in our community who do not have English as their first language to develop their English conversation skills? All you need is a caring and helpful attitude, no teaching skills required. We also offer a crèche for the children of our students.
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Office: A morning (10:00 – 12:30) or afternoon (12:30 – 15:00) once a week or more. Can you help with the administration of our exciting projects and programmes?
Interested and want to know more about volunteering at The Salvation Army?
Phone the office on 01394 276502 or call in for a volunteering pack.
Volunteer Profiles
Shelia
As part of the Signpost service, I come in on a Friday morning from 10:00 – 12:30. I help the community by being here to listen to people and providing somewhere for people to turn to. With the help of our Signpost Resource Directory, I can point people in the right direction for getting practical help and social support. Being part of the Signpost Service team here at The Salvation Army is great, everyone is happy and cheerful and we all feel that we are of use to the public. Now, I have a greater knowledge of what is available to people living in our community and I can pass information on to people to help improve their quality of life.
Doreen
I work in the office 2 ½ hours twice a week. I help with the administration of our current projects but I am now involved in the process of setting up
Munch ‘n’ Lunch from the very beginning by helping to choose menus, pricing, assessing the requirements of volunteers, attending team meetings, and talking with other agencies that are involved. I will also be the Kitchen Supervisor which means that I will oversee the kitchen and staff making sure that everything is running smoothly. This project will help the community by providing a friendly atmosphere for people to socialise and meet new people and provide healthy food that is affordable, even to those on low incomes. Our menu is mainly light lunches such as homemade soup, jacket potatoes, and Caesar salad but we also have desserts like homemade cakes and scones. I will be given Food Safety and Hygiene training Level 2 which is accredited training and I will receive a certificate on completion.
Munch n Lunch Volunteers required:
Munch n Lunch Club Helper
To assist with the running of a social club which offers activities and friendship to adults who are experiencing social isolation or exclusion through disability, mental health issues, low income or for other reasons;
MAIN TASKS/ACTIVITIES:
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To assist in providing a friendly and supportive environment
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To assist in setting up and clearing away the room used for the club
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To assist in providing craft and other activities
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To help and encourage volunteers with additional needs to play an active role in running the club
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To assist with administrative tasks, such as maintaining the attendance register, collecting subscriptions, photocopying materials, etc.
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To be aware of the emotional and practical needs of those attending the club and make the club leader aware of any matters which affect the smooth running of the service
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To attend team meetings as requested
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Munch n Lunch Deputy Cook
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To assist the Cook in preparing light meals and in maintaining a clean and safe kitchen; to assist in the supervision and support of kitchen volunteers (including those with additional needs); to deputise in the absence of the Cook
MAIN TASKS/ACTIVITIES:
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To assist the Cook in preparing light meals and other refreshments
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To assist the Cook in offering encouragement and practical help to other volunteers helping in the kitchen.
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To assist the Cook in ensuring that the kitchen is maintained in a clean and safe state in accordance with health and safety and environmental requirements
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To assist the Cook in setting up and clearing away for each session
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To assist the Cook with safe storage of foods and with stock control
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To assist the Cook with the purchase of food supplies
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To deputise for the Cook when required (holidays, etc.) with the purchase and preparation of food and the supervision of the kitchen volunteers
Munch n Lunch Helper
To assist with the running of a project which offers supported volunteering to adults with additional needs and which addresses issues of social isolation through the provision of a refreshment service and social club;
MAIN TASKS/ACTIVITIES:
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To offer practical help and encouragement to the supported volunteers in carrying out their tasks
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To assist in the setting up and clearing away of the room used for the service
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To assist the team leader in carrying out administrative tasks, including maintaining the volunteer register, photocopying forms, etc.
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To assist on the cash desk, taking meal orders and payment
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To be aware of the needs of customers and assist the Team Leader in addressing any issues which arise
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To make the team leader aware of any matters which affect the smooth running of the service.
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To attend team meetings as requested.
Furniture Project Volunteers required
Furniture Project Helpers
To assist with the charitable recycling of furniture donated to The Salvation Army
MAIN TASKS/ACTIVITIES:
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To assist with the collection and transport by van of donated furniture
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To assist with the delivery of furniture to homes
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To assist with the storage of donated furniture in containers or other designated storage areas.
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To assist in checking that furniture is in good condition and meets health and safety and other requirements as set down.
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To assist in keeping the storage areas clean and tidy.
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To assist in keeping an inventory of furniture in storage.
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Volunteer driver
MAIN TASKS/ACTIVITIES:
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Driving the van that collects and delivers the donated furniture items, either from the storage area or the sales premises.
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To assist with the delivery of furniture to homes
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To assist with the storage of donated furniture in containers or other designated storage areas.
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To assist in checking that furniture is in good condition and meets health and safety and other requirements as set down.
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To assist in keeping the storage areas clean and tidy.
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To assist in keeping an inventory of furniture in storage.
Signposting Volunteers
The Signposting Service volunteers offer visitors and telephone callers to The Salvation Army information on welfare, social services and support available within the community as well as practical help in accessing those services.
MAIN TASKS/ACTIVITIES:
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To respond to requests from visitors and telephone callers to the church centre for information and advice on welfare and social services.
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To be familiar with using the resource manual to provide information
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To assist with updating and maintaining the manual.
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To assist with supply of leaflets.
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To assist with obtaining additional information on services, where appropriate, to help with contacting services or making referrals to other agencies.
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To assist with keeping statistics of the use of service.
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To undergo initial and additional training.
Ipswich & Suffolk Credit Union
Volunteer cashier
Every Thursday 10-12pm. Can you spare 2 hours to help people in our community save with confidence? (Our popular Coffee Morning takes place during this time).
MAIN TASKS/ACTIVITIES:
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To act as a collector as an ICSU volunteer
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To be available on a Thursday morning between 10 – 12pm
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To be able to take money from savers and fill in the appropriate paperwork
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To pay money into the post office on the same day.
Parents & Toddlers – Sally Wags
Sallywags helper
Every Monday 09:30 – 12 pm – Can you help with our popular Parents and Toddler session.
MAIN TASKS/ACTIVITIES:
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Assist in setting out toys and play areas, helping during the session and tidying up at the end of the session. Term time only.
If you are not able to physically help set up, please let us know but you can help by being sitting and chatting to our carer’s and playing with the toddlers. (Subject to an enhanced CRB check)
Sallywags helper – Teas and Coffees
Every Monday 09:30 – 11 am – Can you help with our popular Parents and Toddler session.
MAIN TASKS/ACTIVITIES:
To set up and make Teas and Coffees during the Carers and Toddler session and to wash up and tidy kitchen after session.
