Volunteer link worker - supporting men leaving prison and their families

WYCCP helps men who are being released from prison, and their families, to integrate into the community through giving practical support both inside the prison and after release. Our work benefits ex-prisoners and their families, and helps to create safer and healthier communities.

Link workers are an integral part of the WYCCP team and contribute to the success of our organisation. We couldn't do what we do without you! The primary role of link workers is to work alongside the resettlement and family teams to provide support to men before and after release from prison and to provide support to the families of prisoners in the community. Link workers meet regularly with their service users in the community across West Yorkshire. You will create an action plan with your service user and provide them with practical and emotional support to achieve their goals.

Key tasks: • To support men leaving prison, and their families, prior to release and in the community, working towards an agreed ‘action plan’, with support from staff. • To meet service users in the community and, where necessary, accompany them to appointments with relevant agencies and networks. • To keep clear and comprehensive records and case notes. • To complete ‘follow up’ and administrative tasks. • To commit a minimum of three hours per week to volunteering at WYCCP.

Training and Support Full support is provided. All volunteers must complete our training and induction programme prior to being matched to a service user.

Our next volunteer induction will be in March and we are currently accepting applications in time for that.

Skills

We are looking for committed people who are emotionally mature, empathic and able to maintain firm boundaries.

Reliability and adaptability are essential.

We ask our volunteers to offer a minimum of 3 hours a week to their volunteering.