What is Citadel?

Citadel is a project that matches people who have experienced or are at risk of homelessness with local community volunteers. Volunteers and the person they support normally meet once a week, to share a coffee, a conversation, a helping hand or a sympathetic ear.



Is that it? Well, sort of…



Citadel is just this, and yet SO MUCH more.



The word citadel literally means a ‘fortress 'or ‘stronghold’. The aim of the project is for people to find that ‘stronghold’ within the community and within themselves. By bringing together people who have experienced homelessness with volunteers.





The Citadel Volunteer may provide support with some, or all, of the following:

Emotional support - just being there to listen and share stories and experiences.

Connecting with the community - this could be through a community group, a club, a sport, a hobby, or just spending time in a local café. We love volunteers to bring their own passions and community connections with them to Citadel and to help the people they support to find or nurture theirs!

Support with finding a home – in some cases our volunteers help those in short term housing find their next step. This could be going along to house viewings or helping liaise with housing providers.

Support in making a house a home - Sourcing household items and furniture, help with moving or DIY and maintenance.

Support with keeping a home – by helping with budgeting, setting up utility accounts or understanding a tenancy and liaising with a landlord for example.



You may help with some or all these areas, but you do not need to be an expert at any of them and will receive support and training from your Citadel Coordinator. If you feel you have a specialism or excel in one of these areas, let us know - we can find a position that suits you!





Application

You will be invited to fill in an application form. After your application has been processed and references accepted, you will be contacted by the coordinator with next steps.

You will need to complete a DBS check – the coordinator will send this information to you.

You will meet with your Coordinator – this is a great opportunity to find out more about the service and the people we support and ask any questions.



Induction and Training

You will be given a full induction to Citadel and adequate training before meeting the person you’ll support. This training includes Lone working, Professional Boundaries and understanding trauma.

Safeguarding training is mandatory and will need to be completed before you volunteer with us - this protects everyone involved in the project.

We would also like to hear from you about any further training you would feel would be beneficial. Talk to your Coordinator if there is anything specific that would help you.

Regular training will continue whilst you volunteer with Citadel – this will be available online and face to face.



Support & Supervision

After the first meeting with the person you support, your Coordinator will check in with you to make sure you are happy with the match and address any concerns.

Following this, you will be required to attend supervision sessions bi-monthly. These will be facilitated by the Citadel Coordinator.

If you are unable to attend, please let the Citadel Coordinator know and alternative arrangements can be made.



Commitment

The nature of the Citadel Volunteer role is to develop a relationship within which support can be offered to the individual. You are expected to commit to the relationship for between 3-6 months (this can be shorter or longer). We ask that you commit to at least 1 hour per week.

The time and duration of meetings will be negotiated between you and the individual.

It is expected that you will meet on a weekly basis.

If you can volunteer for more hours each week, you may be matched with more than one client – please discuss this with your Coordinator.

If you are interested in volunteering in a more specific role, for example organising events, please do speak to your Coordinator so this can be considered and further explored.



The difference you will be helping to make is invaluable and we really appreciate your support.