Make-A-Wish UK grants life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses.  A wish gives a desperately ill child and their family time away from the daily struggles of living with a serious condition.  Since 1986, Make-A-Wish has turned the wishes of more than 12,000 seriously ill children into realities – creating memories to treasure forever, whatever the future may hold.

We are seeking organised and reliable individuals with great attention to detail and excellent communication skills to provide support to the Wish Qualification Team, particularly on the telephone and data entry. This role would suit someone who is looking to gain office experience or someone who’s got the experience and would like to use if for a good cause.

Why we need you

This calendar year we’re aiming to grant more than a 1,000 wishes which is the most we would’ve ever granted in a year. In order to do that we need to make sure that we’re able to process as many referrals as quickly and as efficiently as possible.

That’s where you’’ll play an important part. You’ll be making calls to medical professionals to ensure that the outstanding paperwork is completed and returned to us on time, so the children referred to us can receive their wish as quickly as possible.

What will I be doing?

As an office volunteer you'll be supporting the Wish Qualification Team in managing new and existing referrals and wish applicants. Tasks will include:

· Calling medical secretaries to ensure that the medical documentation is completed and returned as soon as possible

· Calling wish families to ensure they complete any necessary documentation and to update them on progress of their application

· Updating our in-house database

· Contacting medical professional and families via email and fax

· General Admin tasks

What skills and attributes do I need?

· Excellent telephone manner

· Able to deal with sensitive conversations

· Good IT skills including Word and email

· Experience in using databases

· Attention to detail

· Good communication skills—verbal and written

· An understanding regarding confidentiality and data protection

Competencies

· Communication

· Flexibility

· Passion

How much time do I need to commit?

We are ideally looking for a minimum commitment of one day a week, although we are flexible to what you can offer. 

What support will I be given?

· Online Volunteer Welcome Induction about Make-A-Wish 

· Training specific to your role will be provided

· Ongoing support will be provided by your designated Volunteer Manager

· Access to our online Volunteer Community – WishNet - where you’ll be kept up to date with latest Make-A-Wish news and information 

· Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses

What will I get from volunteering?

· Office experience within charity sector

· Meeting new people and working in a friendly office environment in Central Reading

· Satisfaction in knowing you’re making a real difference to the lives of seriously ill children and young people

· Knowing that your work supports Make-A-Wish UK in granting more wishes to the children with critical illnesses

Where will I be based?

You’ll be volunteering at our offices in central Reading

Volunteer with Shelter at Royal Parks this Autumn!

Event: Royal Parks Half Marathon 2019

Date: Sunday 13th October

Time: From 8.30am - 2pm (approximately)

Location: Hyde Park (exact location to be shown on map provided)

Nearest Tube: Hyde Park Corner, Knightsbridge, Marble Arch

It’s early - but it’s worth it! Join Team Shelter in Hyde Park on a beautiful autumnal day. On Sunday 13th October London’s most stunning parks will once again be filled with thousands of runners as they take on the Royal Parks Half Marathon. And of course, such events simply can’t happen without the help of amazing volunteers!

We’re looking for enthusiastic individuals and groups to join the Shelter Events team to provide much needed side line support to Shelter runners on the day.

Volunteering at Royal Parks for Shelter means that you'll be part of the movement against bad housing and homelessness, and your presence will be vital in boosting the recognition of the charity to make sure people know who we are and how we can help.

You'll also play an important role in providing moral support to the participants helping them to hit their fundraising targets so that we can continue to help the millions of people who come to us each year struggling with bad housing and homelessness.

Sign up

If you would like to volunteer at this fantastic event, fill in an application. Get in touch if you'd like more information!

We are currently searching for a Digital Champion volunteer, for Leonard Cheshire’s Discover IT project.

Do you know how to use Skype? Do you do your shopping online? Did you know that 25% of people with a registered disability are offline compared with 6% of the rest of the UK? Help bridge the digital skills gap and learn new skills by joining our team today.

You will make a difference by  coaching clients on how to use the internet, and email, building digital confidence and troubleshooting basic IT issues.

We need friendly, patient people with a basic knowledge of IT to support disabled people to access the digital world. You don’t need to be an IT expert, the most important qualities our volunteers need are patience and an ability to explain things people may be unfamiliar with.

You will gain experience working with disabled people, training people, as well as learning about the developing field of assistive technology. And if you volunteer with us, you have the satisfaction that you have used your IT skills to support a disabled person keep in touch with loved ones, apply for a job and pursue their interests. Ongoing training and support will be provided along with expenses, as it’s important to us that our volunteers are not out of pocket because of volunteering with us.

We need volunteers who can volunteer every week from two from 10am to 12am. You will volunteer at Agnes Court in Banbury. 

Please note that we are looking for volunteers 18 years and older for this role.

We’d love to have more people join us to bring the benefits of technology to disabled people in your local area. Please  send us an email to express interest or ask any questions.

Working one-to-one, community connectors will play a key role in enabling tenants in our supported housing to create social and support networks to reduce isolation and improve mental and physical health and wellbeing. 

The Community Connectors programme is designed to be an easy to use service for vulnerable Housing Association Tenants aged 18 years and above, to support them to access a wide range of services.

Peter Bedford is a supported housing association; we empower people to learn, access work and discover their creative talents. Based mainly in Hackney and Islington, we work with people who are homeless, have mental ill health, learning difficulties and multiple needs. Our work enables people to move on and lead independent lives.

We are committed to mutual support, participation and personal development for both staff, volunteers and service users.  Training will be provided; DBS check and references required.

Legal Support Volunteer - Blackburn

Role Summary - To support the operation of Shelter's legal services by assisting the Shelter Blackburn legal team in their day to day business, helping them to meet the needs of their clients

Time Commitment: One day a week for a minimum of six months, but this is flexible

Location: Shelter, Blackburn Library, Town Hall Street, Blackburn, BB2 1AG

Supervised by: Thelma Tomlinson

As a Legal Support volunteer, you will play an essential part of Shelter Blackburn's legal team. The team consists of three solicitors, two housing advisers, one paralegal, one legal admin supervisor and a legal typist working under legal aid funding to assist people who are facing possession proceedings, eviction, or negative homeless decisions. This role will give you the opportunity to volunteer in a fast-paced environment, as well as giving you hands-on experience in one of the UK's leading housing charities.

Main Tasks can include:

• Inputting information on to our case management system (CRM)
• Communicating with clients via written correspondence to share updates on their case
• Supporting solicitors by researching cases and areas of law
• General administrative tasks (photocopying, scanning, creating client files and filing)

Skills and Experiences required:

• An interest in social welfare law, e.g. housing, welfare benefits, debt, community care
• Ability to organise your own work, manage your time and work on your own initiative
• Ability to use computers and programs such as Word and Excel
• Effective communication skills and the ability to understand the needs of our clients
• Willingness to follow Shelter’s policies, including volunteering, health & safety, equality & diversity, confidentiality & data protection

Next Steps:

Please complete an application for this role. After you have applied, we will invite successful candidates to an interview to discuss the role further.

• You will be involved in regulated activity for this role, and for this reason we require you to undertake a basic DBS check

Please note, you will be asked to declare any unspent convictions. Having a criminal record does not mean that you cannot volunteer with us, though it may limit the different ways that you can get involved.

Every day ordinary people do an extraordinary job monitoring conditions for people in custody to make sure that they are treated with fairness and respect.

The IMB at HMP Wealstun, Yorkshire is recruiting new members who live within 30 miles of the HMP Wealstun, Yorkshire and can commit the time to visit 3 to 4 times per month (reducing to 2 to 3 visits after completing the probationary year).

Who are the IMB?

We’re a group of ordinary members of the public, doing an extraordinary job. As a passionate, personable individual, you could join us in making a difference. In this unpaid role, you’ll volunteer your talent and time towards securing a decent day-to-day life for every prisoner and detainee. Under the guidance of dedicated mentors and an extensive training programme, you’ll commit to a flexible schedule of visits to a local establishment each month, with travel and subsistence expenses oaid. Your observations will have an impact as your Board reports its findings to Ministers in Her Majesty’s Government. 

About the role

With unrestricted access to these unique environments, you’ll gain a rare insight into all aspects of life in custody. Impartial and highly influential, you can decide what shape your visits should take. As an independent monitor, you may spend time in a specific part of the prison or choose to have your conversations with prisoners or detainees out of sight or hearing of a member of staff. As well as keeping a close eye on daily operations, you’ll play a crucial role in dealing with problems that arise. This could be in response to a confidential request to see a member of the IMB, or to observe the management of the more serious incidents that occur.

Why join us?

More than anything else, this is a rewarding opportunity that makes a real and meaningful difference to the lives of prisoners, detainees and our wider society. Ministers are obliged to respond to the issues raised in your Board’s report.  The environment may seem intimidating at first, but you will be fully supported through your training and accompanied during your visits until you feel ready to manage independently. This highly recognised and respected role could provide the experience that opens doors into other careers within the justice system.

Who are we looking for?

There is no one type of person who could be right for the IMB because it’s not about background or skillset. It’s about having the dedication and passion to ensure all people are being treated fairly For that reason, we’re looking for individuals from all walks of life who will approach the role with no preconceptions. You will need to be willing to work within a challenging environment and have the confidence to report your findings to senior figures. Most importantly, you will be able to talk to people in a way that makes each prisoner or detainee feel respected and reassured.

Please apply via our website, quoting reference: 997/Wealstun/2019

Closing date for completed returned applications: 10/11/2019

Be a leader with responsibilities of overseeing our Whitby shop so we can stay open and raise more funds.

Key skills you'll gain

• Opening, running and closing a retail store 
• Leadership 
• Supporting and supervising volunteers 
• Coaching and mentoring others 
• Cash handling and banking 
• Excellent customer service

Why we need you

We need your help to oversee the running of our shop and free up staff time so that we can be more effective at raising essential funds for our work. There will sometimes but not always be a staff member present when you’re volunteering. You may be asked to:

• Open the shop in the absence of the Shop Manager, using a set of keys you’re responsible for 
• Carry out daily activities to keep the shop open, including cashing up and closing down at the end of the day’s trade 
• Overseeing and supporting other shop volunteers 
• Follow our policies and procedures, including those relating to banking and security of cash on shop premises 
• Act as an ambassador for Scope and ensure our instore promotions are successful
• Support the Shop Manager and Assistant Shop Manager when they are present

Everything you do will be helping us to keep our shop open so that we can fund our work towards achieving equality for the 14 million disabled people living in the UK today.

Where and when

You’ll be based at our shop address which is at 25 Baxtergate, Whitby, YO21 1BW.
You’ll need to be able to commit a minimum of 4 hours per week, and more if you can.

How we will support you

• Volunteer induction into Scope 
• Relevant training 
• One to one support and regular catch ups with your manager 
• Pre-agreed travel expenses and, if you volunteer all day, lunch expenses too 
• We will make accessibility adjustments to the role (if you require this)

What we are looking for

We’re looking for someone who is driven and motivated to become a leader within our shop team. You’ll need to be reliable, responsible, trustworthy and committed. We’re ideally looking for someone who is a great problem solver, with great communication and leadership skills and the confidence to carry out this role independently.

What else you will gain

• Confidence and valuable experience for your CV 
• A work-related reference 
• Pride in knowing you’ve helped the UK’s 14 million disabled people

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Scope is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and wellbeing of children and adults at risk, whether receiving services or being staff or volunteers. We expect all trustees, staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Join the friendly team at our Scunthorpe shop, and help raise vital funds so we can achieve equality for disabled people.

Key skills you'll gain
• Shop experience 
• Customer service skills (if you choose to be on the shop floor) 
• Working the till (if you want to) 
• Getting stock ready to be sold 
• Creating displays (visual merchandising) 
• Team work

Why we need you

We need your help in our charity shop so that together we can raise vital charity income. We’ll use the money raised to fund our work to achieve everyday equality for disabled people. You’ll be able to choose what sort of tasks suit you best from the following options:

• back of house: helping us sort donations and prepare stock out the back 
• customer service: welcoming customers to the shop, answering customer queries or serving customers on the till 
• department specialist: taking care of a specific area of our shop, such as our books, media, shoes or handbags 
• visual merchandising: creating window and shop floor displays 
• supervising: keeping an eye on the shop floor and supporting other volunteers

Where and when

You will be based in our charity shop at 156 High Street, Scunthorpe, DN15 6EH.
This is a very flexible role. We’d love your help for as little as one hour a week, but if you can give five hours, even better.

How we will support you
• Volunteer induction into Scope 
• Relevant training 
• One to one support and regular catch ups with your manager 
• Pre-agreed travel expenses and, if you volunteer all day, lunch expenses too 
• We will make accessibility adjustments to the role (if you require this) 
• You may be eligible to study for an NVQ in Retail, Customer Service or Team leading (if you volunteer for more than 16 hours a week and meet the eligibility criteria)

What we are looking for

There are no skills or experience necessary before you start volunteering in our shops. We welcome any volunteers who are interested in charity shops, passionate about disability equality, or just keen to meet new people or learn something new.

What else you will gain
• Confidence and valuable experience for your CV 
• A work-related reference 
• Pride in knowing you’ve helped the UK’s 14 million disabled people

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Scope is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and wellbeing of children and adults at risk, whether receiving services or being staff or volunteers. We expect all trustees, staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Simpliv, the learning platform, is organizing the AI Summit India on 18th November at Taj, Vivanta, Bangalore. This two-day summit will be an ideal opportunity to explore critical areas of AI such as digital transformation, AI and deep learning, AI and cybercrime, AI as a tool for enforcing accountability, the various industries that could get impacted by AI, enterprise and process automation using AI, AI and costumer experience, AI’s role in messaging in the advertising, marketing and healthcare and other sectors, AI for the Cognitive Enterprise, and much more.

Volunteer Fundraiser: 

If you agree that all children should grow up feeling loved, then please consider supporting our work by becoming part of our fundraising volunteer team. 

Purpose and Aims of the role 

As a volunteer fundraiser with our fundraising team, you will support us at local and national fundraising activities on an adhoc basis throughout the year as an enthusiastic, reliable, personable and committed extra pair of hands.

As a Volunteer fundraiser, you’ll help us to deliver fun and exciting fundraising events for both us and our supporters by being ‘on the day help’. (Please note that this role does not include any planning of events, if this is of interest to you then please see our ‘Fundraising Champion’ role.) 

Your responsibilities may include: 

• Helping with the setting up of fundraising activities on the day (eg at a local tea party),

• Meeting and greeting people at a range of events 

• Cheering on our supporters as they complete amazing activity challenges to help us raise money 

• Helping pack some bags at a local store to raise funds!

Sometimes there will be lots of events and sometimes we will be quietly organising the next and you may not hear from us for a couple of month’s but rest assured we’ll call in your help and it will be all hands to the deck! 

In this role you will be able to develop your communication, organisation and team working skills. Most importantly though, you’ll inspire people to raise funds and enable events to happen as quite simply we need another pair of happy smiling hands to help!

This role is flexible and the time commitments vary depending on the number and type of fundraising activities that both us and our supporters have organised. This could mean it could be anything from 1 day a month to 2 days in 6 months. We will advertise our fundraising events online and you will be able to sign up on our volunteer system to the events you are able to help at. We would ask that there is a minimum commitment of 4 days a year. The fundraising volunteer team will have an annual meeting together for about 2 hours. 

This is a great opportunity to gain experience within a large charity and develop your existing skills and learn new ones.

What will I be doing? 

• Helping ‘on the day’ at various fundraising activity events 

• Promoting activities on the day at events 

• For any larger events – helping with registration/movement of people 

• Helping at bag packing events to raise money, local tea parties or fun days in the community that our supporters or fundraising volunteers have created 

• Maximising funds raised as part of a team or fundraising group 

• Assisting with the smooth running of fundraising events throughout the year, whether they be ones we have created ourselves or larger events like the Kiltwalk that we support each year! 

What skills can I bring to this role? 

• Good communication and listening skills 

• Ability to encourage, motivate and support fellow volunteers you will be working with and enjoy working as part of a team

• Able to apply disability, equality and inclusion practices 

• Able to understand and apply our risk management procedures 

• Any previous experience helping at events would be useful but it is not essential 

What qualities do I need? 

• To have a non-judgemental and respectful approach to people, have empathy 

• Enthusiastic, personable and reliable 

• Be flexible, approachable and committed 

• Friendly, helpful and understanding 

• Reliability and a commitment to treat all information in a confidential manner 

• To have a good value base, be open minded and level headed 

• Have the enthusiasm and confidence to represent both us and our values locally and nationally 

• Able to learn and communicate our messages both at and away from our events 

When will I be needed?  

• Adhoc 

Location: 

We are looking for volunteer fundraisers for our volunteer fundraising team in Ayrshire and Renfrewshire. These are the areas that will have focussed volunteer fundraising activity in 2019/2020.

What will I gain from the role? 

• Have fun and be a part of a team striving to achieve the same vision 

• A sense of satisfaction in helping raise funds to ensure all care experienced people have a lifetime of equality respect and LOVE 

• Practical experience of working with the local community and organisations

• Experience to further career aspirations, get back into the workplace or education

What support will I be given? 

• Induction

• Role specific training

• Expenses – all out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed

• Supervision and support from our Community fundraising officer and volunteer coordinator

• We run an information and training session to start you in this role. These sessions happen throughout the year and you will be invited to the next available date. The session is 2 1/2 hours at a venue in your local area (Renfrewshire or Ayrshire) 

Additional Information 

For all roles involving regulated work with children and young people, applicants will be required to submit a PVG Scheme Record or a PVG Scheme Record Update application.

Fundraising Champion: 

If you agree that all children should grow up feeling loved, then please consider supporting our work by becoming part of our fundraising volunteer team. 

Purpose and Aims of the role 

As a Fundraising Champion, you will plan and deliver a range of fundraising activities locally in your community. You would be volunteering alongside a small team of volunteers to raise the profile of Who Cares? Scotland and to raise the vital funds we need. 

This is a flexible volunteering opportunity for someone who enjoys organising fundraising activities, big or small. The role would involve researching and talking to prospective supporters to develop links with local organisations, and also keeping up to date with guidance, information and fundraising initiatives at a local and national level with our community fundraising coordinator, Ray Maclean. 

This role is flexible and the time commitments for this role may vary depending on the number and type of fundraising activities arranged. This could mean it could be anything from 2 hours a month to 10 hours, but it will fit around you and what help you can offer.  The fundraising volunteer team will meet every couple of months for about 2 hours, plus you will need time to plan and attend a series of fundraising activities and events throughout the year. We have offices that our volunteer team can use to access a variety of resources that will be helpful when planning fundraising activities. 

This is a great opportunity to gain experience within a large charity and develop your existing skills and learn new ones. We need you to get involved and help us achieve a lifetime of equality, respect and love for care experienced people. 

What will I be doing? 

• You’ll help with creating ideas and planning fundraising activities in your area 

• Developing links with local organisations and participating in fundraising opportunities 

• Coordinating and supporting other volunteers involved with fundraising 

• Maximising funds raised as part of a team or fundraising group 

• Helping with the preparation at events and making sure everything runs smoothly at any of our fundraising activities 

• Assisting at fundraising events throughout the year, whether they be ones we have created ourselves or larger events like the Kiltwalk that we support each year! 

What skills can I bring to this role? 

• Effective administration skills - Confident using Microsoft office, the internet, email and telephone 

• Good communication and listening skills 

• Ability to encourage, motivate and support fellow volunteers you will be working with and enjoy working as part of a team

• Able to apply disability, equality and inclusion practices 

• Able to keep people’s personal data safe 

• Able to understand and apply our risk management procedures 

• Be a good organiser with plenty of creative ideas, preferably (but not essential) with fundraising, sales or event management experience 

What qualities do I need? 

• To have a non-judgemental and respectful approach to people and have empathy 

• Be flexible, approachable and committed 

• Friendly, helpful and understanding 

• Reliability and a commitment to treat all information in a confidential manner 

• To have a good value base, be open minded and level headed 

• Have the enthusiasm and confidence to represent both us and our values locally and nationally 

When will I be needed?  

• This is dependant on the area you would be supporting 

• This will be varied to suit the days and times you can help and some of the administration of creating fundraising activities will be home based or in a local office 

Location: 

We are looking for fundraising champions in Ayrshire and Renfrewshire

What will I gain from the role? 

• Have fun and be a part of a team striving to achieve the same vision 

• A sense of satisfaction in helping raise funds to ensure all care experienced people have a lifetime of equality respect and LOVE 

• Practical experience of working with the local community and organisations

• Experience to further career aspirations, get back into the workplace or education

What support will I be given? 

• Induction

• Role specific training

• Expenses – all out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed

• Supervision and support from our Community fundraising officer and volunteer coordinator

We run an information and training session to start you in this role. These sessions happen throughout the year and you will be invited to the next available date. The session is 2 1/2 hours at a venue in your local area (Renfrewshire or Ayrshire) 

Additional Information 

For all roles involving regulated work with children and young people, applicants will be required to submit a PVG Scheme Record or a PVG Scheme Record Update application.

Job Post: Volunteer Student Ambassador
Location: Various
Reporting to: Community Manager

Time Commitment: 3 hours a week (around your availability)

About us:

We are a not for profit organisation that believes that it should be your passion, talent and ambition that determines your career’s success. We have a range of programs to reduce the social mobility gap in professions. This includes professional development, industry insider events and access to industry experts.

Job Purpose:
As a Student Ambassador, you will be a catalyst for creating change. You will be responsible for a variety of roles including supporting and promoting Generation Success activities. As a Generation Success Student Ambassador, you will use your voice to make sure that no one is left behind.

You will be expected to:

• Be a friendly, engaging positive representation for Generation Success
• Promote Generation Success and the premium membership on campus through social media, events and your own initiatives
• Recruit more Student Ambassadors
• Help out at Generation Success events
• Willing to work closely with other Student Ambassadors
• Supervise other ambassadors when appropriate.

Personal qualities of a student ambassador:

• You must be reliable
• You must be enthusiastic.
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Willing to work in a team of your peers as well as to work independently

What will you get in return?

• Valuable work experience demonstrating teamwork, independent working and Leadership.
• To be part of a movement that you believe in
• Get exclusive access to a mentor.
• Networking opportunities with industry professionals
• Reference Letters from Generation Success for your contribution
• Development of your skills in a supportive environment
• Entry into all of our events
• Autonomy - you get to decide what to do, when you do it and where
• Become part of a friendly team that shares your passion and values

If you want to be part of a movement that strives to build a positive future for yourself and others then Generation Success is a place for you!

Volunteer role title: Database Volunteer

Location:  Chiswick

Anticipated time contribution:  Tuesday/Friday 10am – 2pm (some flexibility)

Responsible to: Data Management Team

About the role

The role of database volunteer is to support the team with incoming and outgoing post and returned swabs.  As part of the role, you will be opening our returned swabs and scanning them into our system and packing them for the courier. 

What’s involved?

• Responsible for opening returned swab mail and scanning into our system.

• Packing swabs for the courier

  What skills, experience and attributes do I need?

• Good administrative and organisational skills

• The ability to work on your own initiative and as part of a small team

• Good interpersonal skills

• A genuine interest and desire to support the work of DKMS UK

  What you can expect from the charity.

• Comprehensive training and support from the Data Management

• Recognition of your hard work and achievements

• An opportunity to feedback on your experience and shape the future development of the program

• A professional reference from an international charity (after 3 months with us)

• The opportunity to volunteer for a new, global charity

About the charity

We are committed to increasing the number of potential blood stem cell donors in the UK, so that there is a donor for everyone who needs one.

Every 20 minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with a blood cancer such as leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. For many of those affected, a blood stem cell donation from a matching donor represents their best, and sometimes only, chance of beating this devastating disease.

About us

Possability People is a user led organisation that promotes independent living for all.

Possability People works towards equality by inspiring disabled people to identify barriers and define solutions.

 

What we need

To support a frontline advisory service to clients in one or more of the roles below. To give information and advice on a range of disability matters and to signpost people to more specialised agencies when appropriate.

 

Things you can do

Desk Volunteer

Provide information, advice and support to users of the centre by telephone or email.

Conduct research in order to respond to complicated enquiries. Feed information back to the Advice Centre team, where possible.

Identify and book form-filling appointments. Update the Outlook email calendar and database with a record of each appointment booked. 

Drop-in Volunteer

To greet clients when they arrive, making them feel comfortable and welcomed.

Provide one-one information, advice and support within a drop in session (15-20 minutes each session).

To contact other agencies e.g. DWP, with the client present at the appointment and with consent.

Conduct research in order to respond to complicated enquiries. Feed information back to the Advice Centre team, where possible.

Appointments Volunteer

To assist clients to complete applications for a range of disability related benefits with full, relevant and accurate details.

To provide one-to-one appointments to clients of the Advice Centre either in person or by phone.

All roles can be involved in the following:

Use an online database to complete a record sheet for each contact made to the centre.

Provide, wherever possible, options to service users in order that they may make an informed choice(s) regarding their enquiry. Signpost to other services where necessary.

Carry out general project admin such as scanning, printing letters and photocopying.

To take the necessary time to build trust and confidence with clients.

Maintain confidentially on all enquiries received by the Advice Centre, and all information regarding any service user.

To provide clear and accurate advice about the process of applying for the given benefit.

 

Who can help?

 Office & Resources Manager and the Advice Centre staff team.

 

Expected Commitment

 Desk Volunteer

Can you offer 1 regular shift a week on a day which is convenient to you? We need volunteers from Monday to Friday between 10 am & 1pm or 1pm & 4pm.

Drop-in Volunteers

Drop-ins are held on Monday and Fridays, 10am-3pm. To offer a regular shift and time each week, however we are flexible on the times within these days.

Appointment Volunteer

To offer at least 1 appointment of approximately 2 hours per week, between 10m-4pm, Mondays to Fridays.  

 

What Support and training is there for you?

Each volunteer will attend a group induction session with the Compliance and Services Lead in order to familiarise themselves with the overall working practices of the organisation and to prepare for their volunteering role.  Volunteers will have 1:1s every three months with a member of the Advice Centre staff team.

Appointment and Drop-in Volunteers are expected to shadow at least 2 appointments and have their first 2 appointments shadowed by a staff member before working 1:1 with clients. Desk Volunteers will spend time with an advisor and shadow other volunteers.

Volunteers always work with a member of staff and are made to feel welcome as part of the Advice Centre team.

 

Benefits

• An opportunity to offer your skills and experience.
• The chance to build confidence, self-esteem and make a difference.
• Access a range of free courses, including equality, welfare rights, working with vulnerable people etc. through the volunteer training budget.
• To work alongside other people to do things which you wouldn't or couldn’t do alone e.g. challenging discrimination, reviewing services, delivering training.
• To help yourself and other disabled people be properly included in your community, at work, at home, socially and in the wider world.
• Join a team committed to better, more equal and inclusive public services.
• Meet new people.
• Learn new skills, develop your C.V. and gain work references.
• Have fun!

 

Can you provide the following?

• Experience and awareness of disability issues. You do not have to identify as a disabled person to be involved. 
• Knowledge or willingness to learn about the social model of disability.
• A commitment to the principles of equal opportunities for all service users.
• A friendly and supportive telephone manner (if providing phone support).
• An ability to use one’s own initiative and conduct research into areas of enquiry and then communicate this effectively to service users.
• A good understanding of computers and Outlook (although training given).
• A commitment to the provision of quality services and support for disabled people.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• To demonstrate empathy with the client and be able to understand their emotional needs. Ability to discuss issues of a personal nature with a sensitive and non-judgmental approach.
• An ability to use one’s own initiative and work 1:1 with clients (with support of the staff team) (this is for drop-in and appointment volunteers).

 

Maybe you have done or have some of these?

These are some skills, knowledge and experience we are looking for. However, if you don’t have these don’t worry as we can offer training and development within these areas.

• Some experience of working with the public.
• Knowledge and understanding or experience of disability and mental health issues.
• Some knowledge of disability-related benefits.
• Knowledge of local service provision.
• Advice skills.
• Ability to deal with occasional challenging situations and behaviours.
• Some experience of completing benefit forms.
• Some experience of conducting benefits appeal work.
• Some experience of working with people with complex needs.

 

Please note:

This role does not require any knowledge and or experience of a particular project or department.

Please do not worry about the tasks – a thorough induction will be provided with ongoing support and training.

All Staff & volunteer appointments are subject to satisfactory DBS Clearance.