Manufacturing – Upcycling and Repairs Assistant
Changing Lives
| Name: | Manufacturing – Upcycling and Repairs Assistant |
| Organisation: | Changing Lives |
| Location: | Changing Lives Charity, Unit 2a Kimberley Road, Clevedon, North Somerset, BS21 6QJ |
| Type: |
Part Time
Ideally, we are looking for people who are able to commit to a minimum of 4 hours per week on a regular day or days.
If you feel you are unable to commit to this, then still feel free to contact the Volunteer Co-Ordinator to discuss your circumstances as it may be possible to work around them.
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Description
Are you good with your hands? Do you have a creative flair? Are you interested in learning some new, practical skills? If your answer to any of these questions is ‘Yes’ then we may have a volunteering opportunity to suit you!
We are a local, Clevedon-based charity, which works alongside people who have experienced trauma in their lives and supports them to overcome any barriers they may face, with a view to returning to work (or even entering employment for the first time).
We are currently looking for volunteers to assist us in our recycling, upcycling, repurposing and/or repair work, helping to transform and breathe new life into our donated pre-loved, second-hand furniture, turning them into brand-spanking new pieces.
This role is based in our Clevedon Community ‘Hub’ workshop and involves the following:
• Creating sellable goods from scratch using pallets and other raw materials, or pre-loved furniture and other items that have been donated to us
• Prepping items prior to their transformation (sanding, sawing, painting, waxing etc.)
• Working alongside other volunteers and local traders (who donate their time and skills to support our work)
• Keeping the workshop clean and tidy
• Repairing furniture items for re-sale
• Helping to hang pictures, mirrors etc.
• Small general maintenance jobs
This list is not exhaustive and is subject to change depending on the availability of stock and materials, and current staffing and volunteering levels.
Request Organisation Contact Details
Organisation Description
Changing Lives Charity (CLC) is a North Somerset-based, Christian organisation, formed in 2015. Its aim is to help those who find themselves in need because of poverty, addiction, poor education, leaving care or the criminal justice system.
The vision of CLC is to assist individuals in changing their lives and helping them to prepare for a more fulfilled and purposeful future. It is a non-discriminatory organisation and works with people of all faiths or no faith.
We provide community support through our network of shops, retail warehouse and services provision to North Somerset Council (NSC), which offers affordable second-hand furniture and household items to those of limited means.
Changing Lives require volunteers to help as Retail Assistants, Driver’s Mates and Upcycling Assistants. Volunteers are a mixture of long-term unemployed people who need to increase their confidence and CV, and those who support the charity by giving some of their extra time to help in the shops.
One of the functions of volunteering with Changing Lives is that it acts as a supportive ‘stepping-stone,’ for those who have been long-term unemployed, towards a more settled and purposeful future consisting of paid employment and independent living.
CLC secures funding for Andrew House in Clevedon, which provides supported living for up to 11 men in recovery from chemical/substance addiction. Surplus income from Changing Lives shops goes towards running Andrew House.
When
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Cause / Interests
- Drugs and Addictions
- Employment
- Homeless and Housing
- Mental Health
- Poverty and Debt
- Prisoners and Ex-Offenders
Types of Activity
- Retail and Charity Shops
Skills and Qualifications
Requirements
Whilst some practical experience would be desirable, this is not a pre-requisite and we offer full, relevant training to anyone who may be interested and who we consider suitable for the role.
Far more important to us than experience, is finding volunteers who share our vision of working alongside those in need.
Consequently, we are looking for friendly, approachable, open-minded people with a positive outlook, bags of enthusiasm and a good sense of humour. Good communication and teamwork skills, a willingness to learn and the ability to remain calm under pressure would also stand you in good stead for a volunteering role here at Changing Lives!
Benefits
A volunteering role with us would mean that you are playing a part in helping to transform the lives of the people who we support through our Charity, and the Volunteer Plus programme that is an integral part of our work.
As well as something highly desirable to put on your CV, and potential source of a reference, volunteering with us is a great opportunity to meet and make new friends in a fun, friendly (and sometimes frantic) environment, whilst doing something worthwhile, in the knowledge that you are helping others to get their lives back on track.
Additional/Specific Suitabilities
| Minimum Age: | 18 | |
| Maximum Age: | NA | |
| Disabled Access: | Yes | |
| Wheelchair Access: | Yes | |
| Expenses: | Travel expenses reimbursed and food/drink allowance offered, subject to qualifying criteria being met (e.g. minimum of 5 hour shift; in receipt of state benefits etc.) | |
| Restrictions: | NA | |
| Induction: | Yes | |
| Insurance Cover: | Yes | |
| Special Needs: | We support a number of volunteers with a variety of Special Needs and also welcome applications from people with support workers. | |
| Offer: | Yes – dependent on availability of staff/volunteers to support the individual. | |
| Training: | Full induction for all, and training given to support the volunteer in their specific role | |
| Other: | NA |
Recruitment Method
Application form, Informal discussion, References