Why Volunteer at Launch Housing
We have an ambitious and singular mission to end homelessness. We aim to get people housed, keep them housed, and be an influential voice on ending homelessness. We are a secular, independent provider of choice for clients and strive to be the go-to organisation on homelessness for government, media, philanthropy, private donors and the community. We believe housing is a basic human right and our values of empowerment, fresh thinking, agility, leadership and courage underpin everything we do.
If you want an opportunity where you can make a real difference, and you are passionate about our mission to end homelessness, then consider volunteering with Launch Housing!
Launch Housing is working to become more trauma informed and as a leading employer in the homelessness sector, it is important to let you know that you will hear stories of distress, hardship, trauma, or violence when working with us. We encourage you to reflect on how this may impact you when considering applying to volunteer. Sustaining the Health & Well-being of our people including volunteers is our priority. We provide adequate training & supervision, Wellbeing Days, and access to Employee Assistance Program.
There are many benefits for volunteering:
Flexibility - you can organise your own timetable
Life changing experience - you'll contribute to ending homelessness in Melbourne and will give you a sense of fulfillment and purpose
Fun and positive environment - you'll meet warm and friendly team members who are here to help
Good for your well-being and mental health - research says that volunteering can help fight stress, loneliness and depression and can help improve your confidence
Share your talents - you can utilise your talent and experience as well as learn new skills in a supportive culture
About the opportunity:
Launch Housing Women’s Services East St. Kilda supports women who are at-risk of, or are experiencing homelessness, through crisis accommodation, transitional housing and rooming houses. As a volunteer, you can provide valued support and make a difference to the lives of women experiencing homelessness. The purpose of this role is to work closely with staff and residents, providing valuable support to the efficient running of the Women’s Services site.
Launch Housing East St Kilda is one of the only crisis services in Victoria to employ and accommodate women (including trans and gender diverse individuals who identify as female). As such, only candidates who are women or who identify as female will be considered.
What you could be doing:
- Welcoming visitors to the site and facilitating the visitor in/out processes
- Ensuring reception and other common areas are welcoming, clean and tidy
- Updating information on notice boards as necessary
- Answering phone calls including transferring to staff, taking messages, providing information about Launch Housing as necessary
- Assisting Duty staff with maintaining accurate and up-to-date records of daily resident activities
- Monitoring the office email account
- Assisting with administration tasks including incoming and outgoing mail, preparation of letters, photocopying, filing, scanning and archiving
- Assisting residents with house needs including computer use, kitchens, and storage
- Assisting Duty staff with monitoring storage of residents’ belongings and follow up as needed
What we're looking for:
- A warm and courteous manner to greet visitors in person and over the phone
- Good communication skills, written and verbal
- Reliability and punctuality – including ability to commit to minimum 6 months volunteering
- Competent computer and keyboard skills with minimal training required – including good knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, and navigating internet sites
- Ability to work independently, as well as effectively as part of a team
- An understanding or willingness to understand homelessness and in particular, the needs and issues affecting clients who are at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness
- Ability to empathise, and an understanding of, and respect for, privacy, confidentiality and appropriate boundaries
- Genuine interest in making a difference and helping others
- Experience working with people from diverse backgrounds and/or marginalised communities
For more information, you can reach out to Billie Cull on billie.cull@launchhousing.org.au.
How to apply
To apply for this opportunity, please click on "Apply for this job" button. Please submit a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria and your CV.
For a copy of the position description please contact us at careers@launchhousing.org.au.
Launch Housing offers a wide range of career opportunities and employs a diverse range of talent. We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons to apply! We acknowledge, respect and celebrate Aboriginal cultures, languages, connections to Country and heritage, customs and practices. We're committed to support Aboriginal peoples to obtain genuine and fulfilling career with us!
Launch Housing is a dog-friendly organisation, which allows dog owners to bring them in some of our sites, please contact the relevant Hiring Manager if you have any questions or concerns prior to your interview.
If you require reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know at careers@launchhousing.org.au.
Launch Housing is committed to being a child safe organisation and has zero tolerance to child abuse. Our hiring process involves rigorous screening of applicants. All of our people including students, contractors and volunteers must hold a valid Working with Children Check and satisfactory criminal history record check.
Launch Housing is an Equal Opportunity employer and supports accessible working arrangements for all. This includes people with a disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, culturally, religiously and linguistically diverse people, young people, older people, women, and people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender diverse, intersex or queer. We acknowledge Lived Experience as a unique expertise and encourage people with a Lived Experience of Homelessness to apply. All applicants must have the right to work in Australia.