Volunteer Telford

The Telford Repair café is a volunteer organisation protecting and safeguarding the environment for the public benefit through the promotion of repair and re-use of products as a means of preventing and minimising waste. 

We currently move around community sites in Telford offering the opportunity for people to come along with items for repair and for our volunteers to understand if or how they can be repaired often leading to a repair there and then.

We have many volunteer opportunities that only take up 3-4 hours a month, providing a chance to make a real difference to communities and the environment.  

We are looking for volunteers with repair skills whether in sewing, electrical, IT or just someone who likes to be challenged by a need for something to work or be functional again. 

Alternatively you might be someone wanting to develop your skills through watching and being mentored by other volunteer repairers.     

We are also looking for people that can give a few hours a month to admin, registration, volunteer support or marketing all of these roles being valuable to the future success of the Telford Repair Cafe.

Telford After Care Team CIO and Branches TACT are a dedicated support charity helping the people of Telford and Wrekin who are struggling with mental health and/or addiction issues.  We run a drop in facility for anyone who needs help between the hours of 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday. 

We have a timetable of free events and peer support activities, free on site listening support, a supported housing facility, outreach and a crisis night service (professional referral-into).

Our volunteers receive free accredited training, full expenses, and a dbs check.

Our staff all have lived experience of mental health/addiction/the justice system/social services etc.  It’s our company pledge that we help people to realise their potential and help others in a safe, encouraging environment.  Strickland House is a friendly, lively and non-judgmental place.

We offer volunteering opportunities in Support Work, Reception Desk, Café, Gardening, Facilitating groups, Administration, Creative Writing, Singing and much more.

Helping our busy store team to move goods from collection to the shop floor, including sorting items for sale, function testing, health and safety checks of goods in and pricing items.

The Witness Service provides practical and emotional support and information to witnesses, so that they feel valued, respected and informed and able to give their best evidence in court. 

What will you do?

You will be directly supporting witnesses (and their friends and families) through the experience of attending court.

You will be based at court to give them practical information about the process, as well as emotional support to help witnesses feel more confident about giving evidence. 

As a Witness Service court-based Volunteer you will be asked to…

Give witnesses and their supporters emotional support, guidance, and information at court (e.g. explain court procedures and legal terms, support them with completing expense forms).

Show witnesses and others around the courtroom before a trial so they are familiar and at ease in the environment (in courts outside London only

Carry out the paperwork necessary to record and evaluate our work.

Go into the courtroom with a witness on trial day if permitted.

Identify additional support to which we can signpost or refer witnesses.

Work as part of a team with other Witness Service volunteers and staff as well as liaising with court personnel.

Attend more than one court in your area when necessary. 

What’s in it for you?

Have a positive impact in your community and on the lives of witnesses and their supporters.

Training, accreditation and continued personal development and support in the role.

Use your skills and life experiences to help others.

The opportunity to take on additional roles such as a buddy / IT champion.

Gain valuable experience and development of interpersonal skills.

Reimbursement of agreed out of pocket expenses.

How much time do you need to give?

It can take around 3 months to become fully accredited as a Witness Service Volunteer. The expectation is that you can volunteer for a minimum of 12 months after you have completed your training. 

We will ask you can offer a minimum of one day per week at court where you will usually be needed from 9am-5pm. This would be agreed between you and your Team Leader, and we welcome requests for flexible arrangements. 

You would also be invited to and expected to attend - ongoing training, volunteer meetings and regular one-to-one support sessions, which are typically held every quarter.