Working at UnityMK
We are incredibly proud of the work we do and our team's commitment to providing emotional and practical help, to ensure we give guests the opportunity to stop the cycle of homelessness.
UnityMK is also committed to creating a diverse and inclusive culture where everyone feels valued - and we actively welcome applications from all under-represented groups.
Please see below for all available roles:
Welfare Manager
We are currently seeking a Welfare Manager to effectively lead the support and co-ordination of services for our clients and guests. The role is an exciting opportunity to join an established homeless organisation developing pathways out of homelessness.
A growing charity, originally set up to help the homeless during the coldest months of the year, UnityMK now operates all year round. Our welfare centre in the city centre is often the first place people come when rough sleeping or facing homelessness, and we are also currently re-developing a Wolverton warehouse to become a complementary key hub to end homelessness in Milton Keynes.
We currently provide:
Unity Park Station Welfare Centre – offering advice & support, hot food, signposting, laundry and shower facilities.
Winter night shelter emergency beds - overnight accommodation from November-March
About you
· Direct and relevant experience of working in the homelessness sector.
· Knowledge of identifying and developing a network of longer-term accommodation provisions.
· Experience working in a day centre setting and managing occasional incidents and emergencies.
· Confident in creating and encouraging a safe, welcoming, and person-centred environment for all clients.
· A people person and a natural team player, solutions focused with a drive towards providing pathways away from homelessness.
· Committed to using lived experiences to improve service delivery by engaging with clients to develop and grow service offerings.
· A good understanding of third-sector partnership working.
· Confident in managing financial/administrative activities, a budget, and a client database.
The position will initially be based at our Welfare Centre in central Milton Keynes with travel to attend meetings and visit winter night shelter venues as needed. Whilst most of the working time will be in normal working hours Monday-Friday, it will require flexibility to be available some evenings, weekends and on-call.
How to apply: Please send a CV and Personal Statement (referencing the Job Description) to our CEO, Emma Johnson, at: communications@unitymk.org.
Please note the deadline for applications is 5pm Friday 17th May with interviews to be held on the week commencing 20th May.
A DBS check will be required for the successful candidate and please be prepared to provide at least two appropriate references if asked to do so. UnityMK is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all people from any background.
Trustee Roles
Looking for a volunteer role that helps change lives for the better? We are looking to recruit additional trustees, to guide the charity and bring their skills, compassion and understanding to support our passionate team. If you have one or more of the following skills and / or experience we would love to hear from you:
· Social housing, landlords and
· Equality, diversity and inclusion
· Public sector
· Lived personal experience
· PR, Marketing and comms
· Employment law, and practice / HR
Originally set up in 2010 to offer somewhere warm to sleep during the coldest months of the year, UnityMK now operates all year round and offers practical and emotional support, along with various services that include:
· Winter Night Shelters - Open during the coldest months of the year, offering 15 emergency beds and is a lifeline for many who would otherwise be sleeping rough.
· Unity Park Station welfare centre – This is often the first-place people come when rough sleeping or facing homelessness. We provide meals, showers, laundry facilities and more, alongside our welfare team who offer advice and advocacy to help with a wide range of support needs, including housing, benefits, debt, mental health and addiction.
· Wolverton – We are re-developing a Wolverton warehouse to become a complementary key hub, to deliver and expand our support facilities.
We currently employ twelve part-time staff, and work with 400+ volunteers from across the city and surrounding areas. Our busy welfare team support more than 100 people each month with a range of needs.
This is a great opportunity to make a substantial difference, by bringing your experience and skills to bear on one of the key charities in this sector in Milton Keynes.
How to apply: Please email our Communications team, at communications@unitymk.org with your CV and tell us why you would like to join us.
Please note the deadline for applications is Friday 31 May 2024.
