Volunteering and Work Experience
Voluntary Work
Cot-age operates with minimal paid staff, supported by a team of volunteers. We monitor training needs closely to ensure that our staff are equipped with the necessary skills to perform their job, support volunteers and ensure a safe working environment for everyone. Cot-age values the skills of its staff and volunteers and offers opportunities for personal development, whilst making a valued contribution to the community. Whether you are looking for work to develop your skills and prepare you for the jobs market, or are retired and feel you could contribute to our work - there's something at Cot-age to stretch your imagination and skills.
Our CRED funded Nursery Re-equip Project offers additional opportunities for work experience placements and woodworking and recycling training in our workshop. We have shown this can enhance career opportunities for the long term unemployed.
Cot-age is an equal opportunities employer and provides opportunities for people with or without a disability to work within a supportive team setting. Enabling people to give back to the community through volunteering plays a major part in restoring dignity and self respect - important factors in securing jobs.
Volunteering Opportunities at Cot-age
See our current volunteering opportunities in the list below for further information click here to request application information.
Working with Adults with Special Needs
Cot-age Workshop provides a supportive environment which is appropriate for some adults with disabilities or special needs. Work skills are assessed and experience provided at a level which comfortably stretches the individual and enables them to explore their potential. Organisations wishing to place adults with Cot-age should telephone to discuss the individual needs of their client. Adults with special needs are supervised in the workshop by our staff, who are all required to provide Criminal Records Disclosure at the enhanced level.
Volunteering Opportunities List
1. Volunteer Refurbishment Worker
Contact us about this post - Please state this reference on the form - Ref: 001
Cot-age needs volunteers to assist with a variety of tasks associated with the refurbishment of nursery equipment e.g. cleaning of prams, pushchairs and highchairs, sanding and painting of cots, breaking down unsafe equipment for spare parts and recycling materials etc.
Main Duties
- Receive and record items of donated equipment coming into the workshop
- Check and clean equipment
- Work with the Administrator in preparing equipment required to meet the needs of clients referred.
- Stack and store equipment and maintain records of goods in stock.
- Maintain the storage areas.
Cot-age Workshop provides a friendly working environment. The person we are looking for will need:
- To be able to work as part of a team
- To have or be willing to develop practical skills required in refurbishing equipment (training given)
- To understand confidentiality issues
2. Volunteer Administrator
Contact us about this post - Please state this reference on the form - Ref: 002
Cot-age needs a volunteer administrator to assist with its core work of redistributing refurbished equipment to families in need. We receive no direct funding for the administration of this work.
NB: This post requires the person appointed to obtain a Criminal Records Disclosure at the Enhanced Level. Cot-age will provide support in obtaining this and pay all costs involved.
Main Duties
- Liaise with the Cot-age Administrator and Workshop staff in processing referrals, making allocations and arranging redistribution of equipment.
- Receive referrals for equipment
- Maintain records of equipment coming into the Workshop
- Maintain records of equipment given to clients
- Identify equipment to meet the needs of the client referred
- Notify the referrer when equipment is available and organise its collection
Cot-age Workshop and offices provide a friendly working environment. The person we are looking for will need:
- To be able to work as part of a team
- To be discreet and have a good grasp of confidentiality issues
- Good literacy, numeracy and administrative skills
- Computer skills useful but not essential
3. Workshop Assistant
Contact us about this post - Please state this reference on the form - Ref: 003
Cot-age requires volunteers who can offer DIY or woodworking skills to work alongside the production staff team in its well-equipped workshop. A variety of tasks are available to suit a range of skills:
Main Duties
- Refurbishing nursery furniture and baby equipment
- Manufacturing garden fencing to create safe play areas for families
- Manufacturing garden furniture and wooden goods for sale
All manufactured goods are sold in support of Cot-age's child safety activities
We are looking for people with:
- Basic DIY skills
- And/or experience in woodworking/joinery
- Enthusiasm for the aims and objectives of the programme
- An ability to work as part of a team
4. Cleaner
Contact us about this post - Please state this reference on the form - Ref: 004
Cot-age requires a volunteer cleaner to help maintain office, public and staff recreation areas of its premises to appropriate health and hygiene standards.
Cot-age premises are situated in the industrial heart of Sheffield, alongside a number of recycling facilities. All Cot-age staff participate in daily cleaning on a rota basis. This job provides for additional thorough weekly cleaning of the areas specified. It does not involve cleaning of the workshop and warehouse areas.
Main Duties
- Vacuuming carpets
- Mopping hard surface floors
- Washing surfaces, ledges etc.
- Cleaning glass in doors
- Washing overalls, towels etc. (using automatic washing machine)
We are looking for someone who:
- Has, or wishes to gain, experience in cleaning in an industrial setting
- Is enthusiastic about maintaining high standards of hygiene
- Is able to work as part of a team
- Shares enthusiasm for Cot-age's aims