Open House is currently in need of volunteers for the following programs:
Bus Driver (12-Seater Mini Bus) for Social Support Group (Clubwork Program)
The Program
Our Clubwork Program is a friendship group, providing support and activities for older adults who are lonely, disadvantaged, or have special needs. Our staff and volunteers work together to provide enjoyable activities that may include cooking, craft, outings, singing, music, workshops, and conversations—all in addition to doing home and hospital visitations and follow-up phone calls to ensure the well-being of all participants.
The Position
We are looking for an experienced and confident Driver to assist us with the transportation of participants to and from our Clubwork Program.
Time required
The shift available is on Wednesdays from 2pm to 3pm during school terms.
Requirements
- Current Working with Children Check
- Current National Police Check
- Two professional referees
- Driver Licence (C)
- Proof of your COVID-19 vaccination as evidenced by a COVID-19 Certificate or Immunisation History Statement
Note: Open House will conduct the Police Check and assist applicants to obtain the Working with Children Check at no cost to the applicant.
Youth Program – Support Worker
The Program
This Program is designed for young people who are secondary school age, and involves a great variety of hands-on work in crafts, woodwork, mechanics, building, engineering, outings and other areas. All activities are supervised by skilled team members and volunteers. Many young people that ‘graduate’ from this Program go on to apprenticeships or employment.
We focus on four key pillars to support young people in acquiring the tools and skills necessary to successfully navigate through life, the education system and beyond.
1. General life skills
2. Connectedness to community
3. Mentoring
4. Fun activities
The Position
Supervised and supported by Open House staff, volunteers may participate in a range of tasks including:
- Mentoring young people
- Conducting workshops and activities
- Coordinating elements of program
- Participating in activities and outings
- Setting-up and packing-up
Your Attributes:
- A desire to engage with young people and help them grow and develop holistically
- Understanding, patience, and perseverance
- Punctuality and consistency
- Role-modelling positive values
Time Required
The shifts available are on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9.30am to 2.30pm during school terms.
Requirements
- Current Working with Children Check
- Current National Police Check
- Two professional referees
- Proof of your COVID-19 vaccination as evidenced by a COVID-19 Certificate or Immunisation History Statement
Note: Open House will conduct the Police Check and assist applicants to obtain the Working with Children Check at no cost to the applicant.
Clubwork Program (Adults) – Support Assistant
The Program
The Clubwork Program is a friendship group that provides support and activities for older adults who are lonely, isolated, disadvantaged or have special needs. Our staff and volunteers work together to provide enjoyable activities that may include cooking, craft, outings, singing, music, workshops, and conversations—all in addition to doing home and hospital visitations and follow-up phone calls to ensure the well-being of all participants.
The Position
We require volunteers who enjoy sitting and engaging with people and assisting them to participate in activities such as arts and crafts, music, singing, cooking and the occasional outing.
Responsibilities:
- Developing friendly and trusting relationships with participants to help them develop life skills through conversation and interaction with other people, some of whom have a range of disabilities and needs.
- Assisting participants with a range of activities, including but not limited to arts and crafts, playing musical instruments, cooking, outings, and singing.
- Attending weekly meetings run prior to the commencement of the Program.
- Attending training workshops conducted by Open House, designed to improve the volunteer’s skills.
- Contributing to the reviewing and evaluation of the Clubwork Program, identifying where improvements can be made.
Your Attributes:
- A desire to engage with people and help them grow and develop holistically
- Understanding, patience, and perseverance
- Punctuality and consistency
- Role-modelling positive values
Time Required
The shifts available are on Wednesdays from 9.30am to 3pm and Fridays from 9.30am to 2pm during school terms.
Requirements
- Current Working with Children Check
- Current National Police Check
- Two professional referees
- Proof of your COVID-19 vaccination as evidenced by a COVID-19 Certificate or Immunisation History Statement
Note: Open House will conduct the Police Check and assist applicants to obtain the Working with Children Check at no cost to the applicant.
Garden Club
The Program
Do you love being outdoors? If so, we have an exciting opportunity to be part of the Open House Garden Club. Our team is dedicated to creating, maintaining, and improving the lovely gardens at Open House. The current focus of the team is to grow a vibrant and exciting outdoor area for our community. This is a chance to think creatively, practice and improve your gardening skills, get to know other like-minded people, and have fun.
The Position
Our garden club volunteers assist with maintaining and improving the Open House gardens and outdoor spaces.
Tasks may include:
- Mowing lawns
- Planting trees, seedlings, shrubs, and flowers
- Landscaping projects
- Weeding
- Pruning trees
- Soil improvement
- Composting
We are looking for people who have a passionate green thumb, want to make new friends, and be a part of a growing community.
Skills:
- Ability to use standard gardening equipment, e.g., mowers, shears, shovels, clippers, edge trimmer, etc.
- Ability to understanding and implement safe working practices.
- Experience with gardening is preferred but not essential.
- Ability to work without supervison.
Time Required
The Garden Club meet on Tuesdays from 9am to 2pm, with potential flexibility to get involved on other days and times as well.
Requirements
- Current Working with Children Check
- Current National Police Check
- Two professional referees
- Proof of your COVID-19 vaccination as evidenced by a COVID-19 Certificate or Immunisation History Statement
Note: Open House will conduct the Police Check and assist applicants to obtain the Working with Children Check at no cost to the applicant.
Home Visitation Program
The Program
The Home Visitation Program aims to support people who are facing social isolation and helps them to stay connected to their community. The Program may include home visits, social outings, peer support and social phone calls.
The Position
Our volunteers are matched with participants based on interests, personality, and values. For this Program all volunteers work in pairs and are provided training and support.
Activities may include:
- Outings to cafes, galleries, or other places of interest
- Taking part in community interest groups
- Going for a walk
- Friendly in-home visits
- A regular social chat on the phone
- Visit to participants at the hospital or other facility
- Accompaniment to the doctor, dentist, or other medical appointments
- Accompaniment to appointments at Human Services, banks, other organisations
This Program is well suited to people who are:
- Empathetic and compassionate
- Have good communication skills, especially active listening
- Patient, observant, and an effective bystander
- Comfortable when confronted with emotions
- Sensitive and understanding around issues of cultural diversity
- Respectful of an individual’s privacy and boundaries
Time Required
To be discussed upon application.
Requirements
- Current Working with Children Check
- Current National Police Check
- Two professional referees
- Proof of your COVID-19 vaccination as evidenced by a COVID-19 Certificate or Immunisation History Statement
Note: Open House will conduct the Police Check and assist applicants to obtain the Working with Children Check at no cost to the applicant.
Malahang Reserve Community Engagement Program
The Program
This Program provides youths with an opportunity to get out of the house, away from the screens, and engage in something healthy and fun. People can participate in exciting sports activities, such as soccer, footy, and basketball, or learn to ride a bike in a safe and welcoming environment.
The Bike Hut at the reserve provides people with an area to repair their bikes, scooters, and skateboards in addition to donating bikes to residents for school, work, and recreation.
The Open House Coffee Cart is also a regular feature at Malahang Reserve during this Program, serving coffees and hot chocolates to community members.
The Position
There are two positions available for this Program:
- Volunteer Sports & Games Leader:
We are seeking a fun, energetic and good-natured person to assist with running sports activities for the community members who visit Malahang Reserve.
- Volunteer Barista:
We are looking for an experienced Barista keen to give back to the community by assisting in our Coffee Cart, making coffees and hot chocolates for members of the community. This position may also involve training young people to make coffees, and thereby helping them develop valuable skills.
For both positions you need to have a desire to engage with people and to help them grow holistically, as well as being able to demonstrate that you can role-model positive values.
Time required
The shift available is on Thursdays from 3.30pm to 5.30pm.
Requirements
- Current Working with Children Check
- Current National Police Check
- Two professional referees
- Proof of your COVID-19 vaccination as evidenced by a COVID-19 Certificate or Immunisation History Statement
Note: Open House will conduct the Police Check and assist applicants to obtain the Working with Children Check at no cost to the applicant.
Bus Driver (12-seater mini-bus) for School Bus-Run Program (standard Driver’s Licence)
The Program
Do you have one hour a week to make a real difference in your local community? We are looking for Bus Drivers to join our School Bus-Run Program. This Program has proven to be a vital community service, as it helps children in need get to school so they can have access to education, and it has been life-changing for many children and their families.
The Position
The task involves conducting a bus pick-up service for local children and dropping them off at school. In this role the Bus Driver is fully supported by an onboard Assistant who helps with navigation and getting the children on and off the bus safely.
Your attributes:
- Experienced and confident driver (a standard car Driver Licence is required)
- Patient
- Punctual
- Reliable and committed
- Excellent interpersonal skills
Benefits:
- Help children get to school and improve their access to education and wellbeing services
- Make a real difference in the community
- Meet new people
- Gain valuable skills and experience
- Be a valuable member of our volunteering team and have an opportunity to get involved with other Open House programs
Time Required
The shifts available are on weekdays from 8am to 9am during school terms.
Requirements
- Current Working with Children Check
- Current National Police Check
- Two professional referees
- Proof of your COVID-19 vaccination as evidenced by a COVID-19 Certificate or Immunisation History Statement
Note: Open House will conduct the Police Check and assist applicants to obtain the Working with Children Check at no cost to the applicant.
Bus Assistants for School Bus-Run Program
The Program
Do you have one hour a week to make a real difference in your local community? We are looking for Bus Assistants to join our School Bus-Run Program! This Program has proven to be a vital community service, as it helps children in need get to school so they can have access to education, and it has been life-changing for many children and their families. The task involves conducting a bus-run around the local area to pick up children from their homes and take them to school.
The Position
The role of the Bus Assistant is to:
- Provide support to the bus-driver, which may include helping with navigation
- Knock on the door at each residence
- Assist children safely on and off the bus
- Remind children to fasten their seat belts
Your attributes:
- Reliable and committed
- Patient
- Excellent interpersonal skills
Benefits:
- Help children get to school and improve their access to education and wellbeing services
- Make a real difference in the community
- Meet new people
- Gain valuable skills and experience
- Be a valuable member of our volunteering team and have an opportunity to get involved with other Open House programs
Time Required
The shifts available are on weekdays from 8am to 9am during school terms.
Requirements
- Current Working with Children Check
- Current National Police Check
- Two professional referees
- Proof of your COVID-19 vaccination as evidenced by a COVID-19 Certificate or Immunisation History Statement
Note: Open House will conduct the Police Check and assist applicants to obtain the Working with Children Check at no cost to the applicant.
Site Maintenance (Basic)
This is a position for people interested in helping to maintain and improve the facilities at Open House. We are looking for people who are punctual, reliable, who enjoy sharing in a positive environment and role-modelling positive values.
The Position
The Site Maintenance team member will assist with maintaining and improving the Open House property and keeping a clean and safe site. The position reports to the Site Manager and must be able to work both collaboratively and independently.
Tasks may include:
- Light building construction
- Painting
- Basic carpentry
- Light repairs (for example: plastering, sanding)
- Landscaping projects
- Assisting with identifying any required maintenance and safety hazards
- Assisting with errands to and from hardware stores
Essential Skills:
- Understanding of OH&S standards and practices
- Ability to follow instructions and basic checklists
- High level of attention to detail
- Proficiency in the use of tools (hand and powered), lawn mower and edge trimmer
- Ability to assist with manual handling tasks as required
Time required
The shift available is on Tuesdays from 9am to 2pm, with options for additional days.
Requirements
- Current Working with Children Check
- Current National Police Check
- Two professional referees
- Proof of your COVID-19 vaccination as evidenced by a COVID-19 Certificate or Immunisation History Statement
Note: Open House will conduct the Police Check and assist applicants to obtain the Working with Children Check at no cost to the applicant.
Social Enterprise Café – All Round Support
Whispers Café
Open House has launched a social enterprise café at Ivanhoe Library called Whispers. The cafe is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm, and sells coffees, teas, milkshakes, and cold drinks, and serves pastries and sweets, toasted sandwiches, paninis, and croissants.
The Position
We are looking for volunteers to join our amazing café team. Experience in customer service/hospitality, and coffee making is preferred.
Our volunteers help with tasks, such as:
- Taking customer orders
- Operating the register and taking money
- Serving customers
- Clearing and cleaning tables
- Unpacking deliveries and stock control
- Engaging with customers in a friendly, polite, and helpful manner
This is a great opportunity for anyone wanting to:
- Gain experience and skills in food handling
- Gain experience in a hospitality setting
- Develop skills in teamwork and interpersonal communication
- Give back to the local community
- Be a part of helping to build this amazing social enterprise
Time Required
The shifts available are on weekdays between 9am and 4pm (length of shift is flexible).
Requirements
- Current Working with Children Check
- Current National Police Check
- Two professional referees
- Complete free, online food safety training and assessment
- Proof of your COVID-19 vaccination as evidenced by a COVID-19 Certificate or Immunisation History Statement
Note: Open House will conduct the Police Check and assist applicants to obtain the Working with Children Check at no cost to the applicant.
Bicycle Repair and Maintenance
The Program
The Open House Bike Hut operates out of Malahang Reserve, West Heidelberg, and is a space for local park users to fix their bikes, scooters and skateboards. Bikes and scooters are also donated and distributed to local residents free of charge to ride to school, work or for recreation.
The position of the Bicycle Repair and Maintenance Volunteer is based at our Macleod premises, with support at the Malahang Reserve Bike Hut if required. It involves working in a team environment, sharing skills, and communicating information.
Responsibilities:
- Repair, check, and fix bikes following Open House standards
- Check order book and source appropriate bikes from our stock for repair
- Prepare bikes on time for community members
- Record work done on bikes and update the inventory of the workshop
- Keep all benches and workshop clean
- Provide feedback and advice about bicycles
- Be customer friendly and personable as you are the face of our Bike Hut Team when dealing with the community
- Identify bikes beyond repair, strip serviceable parts and scrap as required
Tasks:
We require volunteers with a good knowledge about bicycles and scooters. The tasks will involve:
- Tyre and tube replacements and repairs
- Assembling/disassembling a wide range of bicycles
- Bottom bracket removal and repair including pedal removal and replacement
- Wheel repairs, spoke replacements and truing
- Crank arm replacement
- Derailleurs – adjustments, repairs and replacements, limit screw adjustments
- Headset repairs and overhaul
- Brake adjustment, repairs, brake block replacements, brake levers and shifter levers
- Changing all kinds of cables
- Chain check, replacement, and lubrication
- Ensure bikes ready for distribution are roadworthy, road tested and tagged as complete
Time Required
The shifts available at our Macleod premises are on Thursdays from 10am to 1pm (days and time may be negotiable). The shifts available at the Bike Hut at Malahang Reserve, West Heidelberg are on Thursdays from 3.30pm to 5.30pm.
Requirements
- Current Working with Children Check
- Current National Police Check
- Two professional referees
- Proof of your COVID-19 vaccination as evidenced by a COVID-19 Certificate or Immunisation History Statement
- Competency in using hand tools and bike mechanics
- Understanding of Safe Working Methods and OH&S requirements related to the task
Note: Open House will conduct the Police Check and assist applicants to obtain the Working with Children Check at no cost to the applicant.
