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Much of the work in The Simon Community is carried out by volunteers, who co-ordinate
and run our residential and outreach work. Full-time volunteers live in the houses
with our residents, sharing their mutual strengths and weaknesses and creating
a unique atmosphere of love and acceptance. This is not easy to sustain, but for
many of our residents it may be the first time in their lives they have been respected
and have somewhere they can belong. We encourage change without aiming to 'rehabilitate'.
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The community working in the garden |
We have no paid, professional staff in our houses and rely
entirely on volunteers as we believe the commitment, energy, patience and courage
they bring is an essential part of the success of our work with some of the most
damaged and vulnerable people in our society..
WHAT DO I NEED TO BE A FULL-TIME VOLUNTEER?
Full-time volunteers need to be at least 19 years old
HOW LONG?
We prefer full-time volunteers to stay for nine months or more.
There is no maximum, but in practice no-one usually stays longer than three years.
WHAT ABOUT PAY AND TIME OFF?
You live in, and get £36.00 a week pocket money with
food, board and all other basic necessities provided. You have a "day"
off each week (at 44 hours, its almost 2 days), plus money for two weeks off every
three months. In addition, some money is saved up for you when you leave. We have
a house for our workers to stay in on their days off or when they have other leave.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I WILL LIKE THE WORK?
You need to complete an application form. If that is satisfactory
we will arrange for you to visit the Community for 48 hours so that you can see
what it is like and so that we can meet you.
HOW DO I JOIN?
 Your
application will be discussed at the Community meeting on the Friday following
you visit/interview. The meeting will then decide which applicants are successful.
Their decision is based on the information provided on your application
form and the feedback from the community members you meet with/have a telephone
interview with. We then follow up with applicants to let them know our decision.
Do you have a particular skill you would like to share with The Simon Community
and a few hours to spare? We are always looking for additional help in areas such
as accountancy, administration, marketing, PR, fundraising and training. Get in
touch with us to discuss your interests.
WHAT CAN YOU GET OUT OF IT?
- Time spent with us is regarded as excellent experience by employers, and
invaluable for those studying in related fields.
- Training is given, and there is the opportunity to develop a wide range of
skills.
- Learning - an in depth understanding of the issues around homelessness, and
connected social issues.
- The satisfaction of helping some of the most needy people.
- Meeting new people and being in a unique environment
Below is a quote from a worker which illustrates what you might get out
of your time with us:
“I have been living and working in the Simon Community
for six months and have just extended my time to a year because I realise what
an exceptional organisation the Simon Community is. It allows me to look at people
as human beings – instead of a ‘client group;’ getting to know
them as individuals, rather than statistics. I believe that giving to others should
be a way of life – not a job, and the Simon Community makes this possible.
I have enjoyed the freedom of being able to think for myself, making it possible
to contribute productively to our developing projects.
I’d recommend this project to all those people who
are willing to put in hard work to really make a difference.”
Beth Eleftheriades
PART-TIME VOLUNTEERS (CO-WORKERS)
Part-time volunteers do not live in Simon houses. Many of our
ex-residents are active co-workers. Co-workers, can be around far longer than
workers and so provide vital continuity. They can get involved in almost any aspect
of the Community, be it streetwork, tea-runs, street café, helping out
in the houses, night cover, driving, office work, campaigning or using any other
skills they have to help our work. We welcome the fact that co-workers see Simon
from a different perspective than the people who live here full-time. They serve
a vital function in keeping us in touch with the outside world.
WHAT IS THE MINIMUM COMMITMENT?
We don't have a rule as such, but in practice it's a good idea to make a regular
commitment at least once every two weeks. Our main needs are in the evenings,
but we also need help at other times, including overnight.
EXPENSES
We pay travel expenses and other authorised expenses. Meals are provided,
WHAT NOW?
Download an application form, fill it out and send it back to us by post.
 (Adobe
PDF format - 45k)
(MS
word format - 45k)
 (Adobe
PDF format - 96k)
(MS
Word format -67k)
Alternatively you can Contact us
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