We are currently recruiting volunteer mentors to support our clients who have recently obtained accommodation after a period of rough sleeping.
Social and practical help and advice are invaluable to clients in the early stages of a new tenancy and can make the difference between settling successfully or returning to life on the streets. Pairs of mentors are matched with a client for a minimum of 6 months and meet weekly to tackle together any issues the client is facing including budgeting, social isolation, finding activities and staying healthy.
Many vulnerable people often need support, assistance and advice to help them to move on to the next stage of their lives when they no longer need the services of our day centre and the Canterbury Community Shelter. Without support many clients lose their accommodation and revert back to a life on the streets.
This role requires a commitment of 2-5 hours a week.
Full training and ongoing support are provided.
The main aims of the project include:
- Offering support and advice to people moving from homelessness to living independently in their own home.
- Building relationships that allow clients to build self-confidence and successful independence.
- Ensuring that clients don’t become socially isolated.
- Assisting in setting up a new home, including help to access funds for furniture.
- Advocating with other agencies to find training, education and work.
- Helping in budgeting for payments to utility companies.
- Assisting in access to local energy efficiency schemes which make clients’ homes warmer and cheaper to run.
- Signposting to specialist agencies for help with money, low-level debt or benefits.
- Assisting in access to help for mental health issues, physical health problems and/or drug and alcohol misuse.
If you think you would be interested in applying, or for more information, please contact our mentoring coordinator, Sally, by emailing mentoring@catchinglives.org
