Are you a compassionate, mature and responsible individual looking to make a difference in the lives of others and give HOPE where it is needed most?  Samaritan House Geelong, in partnership with The Salvation Army, is offering opportunities to join the team as Night Shift Support Assistants, providing a safe and positive experience for male guests staying overnight. This could be the opportunity for you!

Samaritan House is a community-based not-for-profit organisation which provides nightly crisis overnight accommodation and support from a purpose-built facility in Geelong for up to 13 homeless men (guests) who would otherwise be sleeping rough. There are multiple causes of homelessness and each person’s situation is unique and often complex. By offering a safe and welcoming place of hope, Samaritan House’s guests are supported and enabled to move into more permanent accommodation and begin to rebuild their lives.

Each afternoon, guests are picked up from the city centre and transported to the accommodation in Geelong where they are provided with a meal and a bed for the night.  The following morning they are returned to the city centre.

This important support gives the men the vital dignity, self-respect and confidence they need to transition to a better future. Nearly 50% of the guests have been able to move into stable housing and a further 25% are now in short term housing.

Night Shift Support Assistants work to provide a safe and positive experience for all guests staying at Samaritan House. This volunteer role would suit a person with a high level of maturity and the life skills to be able to offer companionship and support when required to a variety of guests encouraging a non-judgemental environment. Applicants will need to be able to work within the mission and values of The Salvation Army.

Key Evening Responsibilities Include:

• Approval of guest list according to protocol
• Safe driving of guests via minibus
• Engage with each guest and develop rapport
• Provide support for and respond to guest needs on arrival
• Be responsible for management of arrival, overnight stay and departure of guests (but not compliance)
• Problem solving and incident reporting according to protocol
• Contribute to the development of positive house culture

Time Commitment

Three separate Night Shifts available, rostered for one or more nights per month: 1/ 5:30pm to 8am 2/ 5:30pm to 11pm 3/ 10:30pm to 8am

Please nominate your preference in your expression of interest below

Qualifications & Experience For This Role Include:

• Excellent communication skills
• Awareness of the needs of those who are suffering from homelessness
• Current Victorian drivers licence
• Experience in driving a mini bus would be advantageous
• WWCC
• Current Police Check

If this sounds like you, please express your interest and apply for this exciting role today!