Health & Wellbeing and Outreach Volunteer

About our Health and Wellbeing Project 

Our Health and Wellbeing Project aims to improve the health equity for the Latin American community in South London, overcoming challenges such as cultural and language barriers,  digital literacy, lack of information, etc. and addressing structural inequalities and discrimination.

Through outreach work, one-to-one consultations, webinars and workshops, we support people to access basic services such as GP registration, dental care, medical appointments and mental health support. 

Working in collaboration with other organisations, we promote awareness and share information around health needs that are particularly relevant to the Latin American community, as well as other chronic health conditions identified as prevalent in Lambeth and Southwark.

We also run informative campaigns using our social media channels to produce, translate and disseminate relevant information materials and resources in Spanish and Portuguese.

Taking a wider understanding of health and wellbeing, we consider an essential part of this work to address the multiple and complex needs of our community. Therefore, we support people to access advice and support on housing, employment, welfare and immigration, among others, provided by IRMO and other organisations.

Main tasks and responsibilities:

• Providing community members with up-to-date, accurate information about health and wellbeing related topics relevant to the community

• Delivering weekly one-to-one support sessions and follow-up on enquiries from service users

• Make phone calls to service providers and partner organisations

• Supporting the development or translation of informative resources in Spanish and Portuguese, such as handouts and how-to guides (depending on the volunteer language skills)

• Participate and organise events and outreach activities and sessions

We are looking for enthusiastic individuals with a genuine vocation towards supporting the Latin American migrants and refugees.

Skills, Abilities and Knowledge

• Academic background in health . Students in the last years of their studies will be also considered (D)

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in Spanish (E) 

• Good verbal and written communication skills in English (intermediate level)

• Ability to interact with service users from all backgrounds in a friendly, approachable and supportive way

• Ability to work with service users in a way that promotes their rights and dignity, while being aware of relevant boundaries

• Ability to set own work priorities and take initiative 

• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team

• Good IT skills, including competence in Google Workspace applications, and Microsoft applications, 

• Understanding of issues facing the Latin American community in the UK

Personal Attributes

• Professional, positive and flexible attitude

• Self-motivated and resourceful

• A welcoming and empathetic approach to work that takes into account people's circumstances and feelings

• Commitment to applying a non-judgemental, non-discriminatory and non-hostile approach when dealing with migrant communities

• Commitment to IRMO's vision, mission and values 

Additional requirements

• Two references from current/previous employers and/or volunteering

• Basic DBS check (completed through IRMO)

• Safeguarding Level 1 certificate (completed through IRMO)

• One-month trial period

Benefits from volunteering at IRMO

• Gaining valuable professional experience and developing transferable skills to support career progression in the UK

• Learning new professional skills in a multicultural, cooperative and inspiring work environment

• Enhancing your CV and receiving work references (after completing three months as a volunteer)

• Receiving regular support and supervision to guide your development

• Accessing training and development opportunities (in-house and external) in areas related to the role

• Getting an involved, deeper understanding of the Latin American community in the UK

• Utilising your experience to help others navigate their challenges and to give back to the community.