Caseworker volunteer roles

Why we want you

Our vision is a society in which Armed Forces, veterans and their families can thrive. When anyone in the Armed Forces community finds themselves in need, SSAFA is the charity they can turn to – no one’s service is ever forgotten. More and more people need help, so we are growing our network of dedicated caseworkers.

Come and join our team! You will be making a real difference to the lives of those who need financial, practical, and emotional support. We value all our volunteers and the unique skills and experience they bring.

What you will be doing

• Arranging to talk with potential beneficiaries (on the phone or face to face) at a mutually convenient time
• Understanding peoples’ support needs and gathering information to assess their circumstances
• Typing written case reports to apply for financial assistance
• Sign-posting to services providing specialist support, such as mental health or housing support
• Keeping beneficiaries and the SSAFA regional office up to date with progress

The skills you need

• Friendly and approachable
• Great written and verbal communication skills
• Non-judgemental
• Reliable
• Basic IT skills

What's in it for you

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others
• Be part of a friendly and supportive SSAFA team
• Develop your experience and skills which you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews
• Access a range of training and learning opportunities

Disclaimer

SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment. This role qualifies for a criminal record check, which will be carried out at no cost to you. If you have a criminal record, it won't necessarily stop you from becoming a volunteer. Please read our Volunteer Vetting Guidance for more information.

Mission Statement

Age UK Plymouth exists to care for and work with older people, those living with dementia and their carers in and around the City of Plymouth to improve their quality of life through the promotion of choice, opportunity and independence.

The Role

To support the Information and Advice Team in delivering free, confidential and independent information and advice services within community settings across Plymouth.

The Information and Advice Community Volunteer will assist Information and Advice Community Caseworkers in delivering outreach information and advice services to  people aged 50+ across Plymouth, with a focus on reaching individuals who may face barriers to accessing support due to deprivation, social isolation, poor transport links, health inequalities or digital exclusion.

The role is community-based and involves assisting Information and Advice Community Caseworkers in the delivery of outreach information and advice services within community venues across Plymouth.

Main Duties

· Assist Information and Advice Community Caseworkers in the delivery of community outreach information and advice sessions across Plymouth.

· Welcome and assist individuals attending outreach sessions, helping to create a friendly, inclusive and supportive environment.

· Support Information and Advice Community Caseworkers with client registration, appointment booking, administration and session set-up as required.

· Provide basic information about Age UK Plymouth services and assist individuals to access appropriate support.

· Identify individuals who may benefit from further information and advice support and refer them to an Information and Advice Community Caseworker.

· Assist with the distribution of information materials, leaflets and promotional resources.

· Support Information and Advice Community Caseworkers to engage with older people who may be isolated or experience barriers to accessing services.

· Record basic information and service user feedback as required.

· Promote awareness of Age UK Plymouth services within local communities.

· Maintain confidentiality and comply with Age UK Plymouth policies and procedures at all times.

· Attend training, supervision sessions and volunteer meetings as required.

· Work positively with staff, volunteers and partner organisations to support the delivery of high-quality services.

· Act as an ambassador for Age UK Plymouth and uphold the charity's values at all times.

· To comply with the Charity's Health & Safety policies and other relevant policies and procedures as contained in the Volunteer Handbook and operational guidelines.

· To undertake lone working only where authorised and in accordance with Age UK Plymouth's Lone Working Policy and associated risk assessments.

· To assist and participate in Age UK Plymouth promotional, engagement and profile-raising activities.

· To uphold and promote Age UK Plymouth's Equality & Diversity Policy and ensure effective implementation in all aspects of service delivery.

· To ensure the requirements of Data Protection legislation are complied with when carrying out the duties of the role.

· To undertake such other reasonable volunteering duties as may be appropriate to the role and agreed with the Volunteer Coordinator or Line Manager.

Skills and Personal Qualifications

· Good communication skills and smart appearance.

· Ability to work as part of a team and form productive relationships.

· Ability to write clearly.

· Reliability and good time keeping abilities.

· Willingness to attend induction and undertake ongoing training appropriate to the role.

In Return, We’ll Provide:

· Initial and ongoing training to help you build your skills and knowledge.

· Continuous support from our team, ensuring you feel equipped and confident in your role.

· An opportunity to meet and connect with our dedicated group of over 30 volunteers, both socially and through training sessions.

· Reimbursement for any reasonable, approved out of pocket expenses.

· Full insurance coverage while you are volunteering on behalf of Age UK Plymouth.

 Responsible to:

Wellbeing, Information & Advice Manager (with day-to-day support from Information & Advice Community Caseworker).

Watford and Three Rivers Refugee Partnership operates in the borough of Watford and Three Rivers district, providing support to refugees and others without status in the UK. The partnership has a full-time caseworker and two part-time support staff in addition to around 80 volunteers. It currently serves around 350 families and individuals.

The charity provides:

· A weekly drop-in session – currently Tuesdays 11:00-13:30 – for existing and new clients to see us

· Casework supporting applications for leave to remain and related issues

· A weekly social hub – concurrent with the drop-in – for any client to join us for company and activities

· Education for our clients, mainly in the English language but including help with literacy and numeracy.

The operations manager will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the charity, reporting to the committee and trustees, ensuring the organisation runs efficiently and resources are used effectively to achieve its mission.  They will provide a line management and mentoring role for the case worker and office administrator. The successful candidate would have had managerial experience, possibly in the charity, education, healthcare or related sectors. The role is a part time one – expected to average 2 days per week, and likely to suit someone retired from employment.

Specific roles for the operations manager are:

· Support of communication within the charity

· Supervision of the weekly (currently Tuesday, 11:00am-1:30pm) welcome desk, drop-in, social hub and casework operation

· Line management of our full-time caseworker and part-time office manager

· Support of elements of casework by allocating other volunteers, logistics etc.

· Making day-to-day decisions within agreed scope, for management of the charity

· Report to the committee (including trustees) at its regular meetings with status of cases and requests for decisions

· Advising the committee in developing the charity, helping work on core mission, vision and strategy.

· Working with our fundraisers to provide required information and guidance where needed.

The successful candidate would have experience in:

· Proven organisational and multitasking skills

· Knowledge and experience of regulatory requirements to ensure compliance (e.g. GDPR etc)

· Ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders

· Management of staff and volunteers

· Working with a volunteer committee and trustees

· Development of a business, charity or equivalent organisation