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About Edinburgh Cyrenians - Communities

Edinburgh Cyrenians Trust’s vision is of a society that truly values and includes all, in which homelessness and exclusion would not be accepted. Its mission is to engage with those on the margins of society, empowering them with practical help, support and opportunities to take control of their lives and to fulfil their potential as contributing members of the community. In doing so we will engage with the wider community to reduce barriers and promote the valuing of people, whatever their circumstances

Skills & Experience

Edinburgh Cyrenians’ primary aim is to tackle homelessness, particularly among young people, by providing advice, support and accommodation. Being homeless is more than not having a house: it is about social networks, life skills, education, training and work opportunities. We aim to ensure that young people who are at risk of homelessness are provided with a range of opportunities and support to lessen this risk. Each community has up to eight residents aged 16-30, who come to live in the communities as a result of being homeless. Their homelessness situation is usually as a result of family relationship breakdown, a drug or alcohol issue or a mental health problem. The communities are funded by contributions from Social Workers, the local council, residents and charitable donations. The purpose of the communities is to support the residents to develop their confidence, skills and abilities in order to begin to live independently and, eventually, to move to a more sustainable living environment away from personal crisis. Living with volunteers helps residents see alternative ways of coping with problems. Whilst not being expected to be ‘perfect’ people, volunteers are embedded in the service as positive role models. Both Communities have around six volunteers who live with the residents in the community houses for 6 months (volunteers must be 16 – 30 so as to be true peers to the residents). In addition, both communities have a small staff team, whose role it is to assess the residents, provide structured guidance to them, uphold the rules and community agreements, and have overall responsibility for the project. Staff mainly work standard office hours but are available on call if required. The roles of staff and volunteers are very different. This is a live-alongside role which does not hold regular working hours. At times volunteers are asked to perform particular tasks during the day such as chumming a resident to an appointment, supporting them to complete a task/activity. Volunteers who are not on time off are expected to be in the building whenever staff are not present. Volunteers are also responsible for locking the doors and turning off the buzzer after the curfew time. Volunteers have 2½ days free time per week, which can be spent wherever the individual chooses.

Travel Details

One community is in the ‘city’ – in the Edinburgh district of Leith, the other is the ‘farm’ just outside Edinburgh on a 10 acre organic farm. City Community:- 107A Ferry Road Edinburgh EH6 4ET 0131-555-3707

Restrictions

Volunteers need to be in the same age group as our residents, to ensure a peer support.

Requirements

Application Form, Induction/Training, Informal Chat, Interview, Police Check, References, Trial Period

Training and Induction Details

Training includes teamwork, health & safety, communication, disabilities, homelessness, conflict and challenging behaviour. Excellent experience when applying for jobs or courses, especially relevant for people wanting a career in a caring profession.