Description
As a volunteer you will be based at our Duncan Place office and will provide face to face and remote appointments to people who use our service. You will be supported to manage your own caseload and will gain extensive experience and knowledge of working in a busy advocacy service.
This role involves supporting people who use our service around a range of issues that affect them, such as: attending appointments with GP’s, Psychiatrists and Social Workers; helping people write letters or raise complaints about services and treatment; attending benefit assessments, providing support at children’s hearings, helping people to be more informed about their rights and helping make sure their voices are heard.
In return you will receive access to training, regular support and supervision, a learning and development plan and a record of your experience whilst volunteering with us.
We are a Disability Confident Committed employer and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and communities.
Availability
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Flexible. We ask for a minimum commitment of one morning/afternoon per week for a minimum period of six months. During office hours Mon-Fri.
Frequency and commitment details
Flexible. We ask for a minimum commitment of one morning/afternoon per week for a minimum period of six months. During office hours Mon-Fri.
Restrictions
Experience required: No experience is required as we offer full training. However, good communication skills, an understanding of mental health and/ or recovery services and an interest in upholding people's rights would be helpful. We also welcome volunteers with lived experience of Mental Health or problematic substance use.
Travel details: We deliver advocacy mainly from our new offices at 4 Duncan Place, EH6 8HW. (Lothian Buses – 1, 7, 12, 14, 16, 21, 25, 35 and 49 stop nearby) We see people face to face here, as well as delivering telephone and video advocacy. We accompany our advocacy partners to other appointments by prior arrangement.
Minimum age: 18
Support
Expenses paid: Yes
Expenses details: Form to be completed with cash or bank transfer. All travel expenses to and from appointments will be reimbursed.
Training details: AdvoCard's training for new Volunteer Advocacy Workers runs through the year. You must be able to complete all 8 sessions of the training programme which runs two afternoons per week over a period of 4 weeks.
Support:
Wheelchair Access/Disabled Access Toilet