Volunteering with Relate

Who are we?
Relate is about relationships. We provide support to people through the following services:
• Relationship counselling for couples or individuals
• Sex therapy for couples or individuals
• Family counselling - for adults and children
• Young people’s counselling
• Education and training for organisations or the general public

Relate Milton Keynes is an independent charity and a member of the National Relate Federation. This means we have access to support and training from our Central Office based in Doncaster.

A voluntary Board of Trustees governs Relate MK and they appoint a Centre Manager to manage the service. Currently there are about 20 counsellors, 10 office staff and 20 volunteers.

The phone lines are open Monday to Thursday 9am to 5:45pm and 9am to 4 pm on a Friday. Counselling is offered to clients throughout the day, in the evenings up until 10pm and on Saturday morning. The counselling is offered at our centre in Wolverton and in other out-posts around MK.

Where do you come in?
Relate can offer volunteering opportunities in a number of ways, as Evening Receptionists or Volunteer helpers during the day.

We use the support of volunteer receptionists on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, and Saturday mornings. The evening sessions are usually split into two sessions – running from 5.15pm to 7.45 pm and 7.45pm until 10pm. Saturday morning is from 9.15am to 1.00pm, currently worked as one session.

We are wanting to expand volunteering opportunities at other times too. The normal office week runs from 9:00 to 5:15 Monday to Thursday closing slightly earlier on Friday.

We have a loyal and committed team of volunteer receptionists and helpers but we often need backup for the times when these people have other commitments or are unwell.

Job Description For Volunteer Receptionists
The main duties of receptionist are as follows:
1. To welcome clients to Relate. There will be a list of full names of all clients expected during the time you are at Relate.
2. To open up / lock up the Centre depending on which hours you are working. If you need them, you will be provided with a set of keys.
3. To be a secure presence in the Centre when counselling is taking place and in this way support the counsellors of Relate.
4. To maintain strict confidentiality regarding clients matters and information, whether oral or in writing.
5. To provide the new clients with ‘measuring outcome’ forms where appropriate.
6. To relax and read a book / study or to perform other admin and office tasks by mutual agreement with staff.

For day time helpers this will be dependent on what you choose to do but is likely to include a wide range of tasks which lead to the development of services, smooth running of the centre and which help our existing staff. We would particularly like people who could (with training) answer the phone at certain times and deal with booking appointments.

You will not be expected to do anything without proper training and jobs that need doing will be posted on the volunteer notice board.

If you are interested in counselling this is a good opportunity to gain experience in a counselling environment.


Contact us for more info.

01908 310010
maggie@relatemk.org

Trustees
Relate Milton Keynes is an independent charity part of a Federation across the country. The organisation is governed by a Board of Trustees who are all volunteers and provide their experience and expertise to govern and lead the organisation.
Trustee of Relate job description
If you feel you have some skills to offer and would like the chance to be part of an exciting and forward thinking organisation that focuses on people then please contact our Chair.


Come and lend a hand, you can make a difference

Relate Milton Keynes Home Page