Description
VoiceAbility is an independent charity and one of the country’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services. We support people to be heard in decisions about their health, care and wellbeing.
We currently have great opportunities in Orkney to volunteer with us as a Support Session Volunteer helping our clients with general advocacy, supporting people with a variety of challenges. The focus of the role will be on supporting those with complex needs who self-disclose as having a disability to use our toolkits and helping them understand their rights and access their benefits. Volunteer support helps us to reduce waitlists and support more individuals by:
• Helping clients understand about advocacy
• Supporting clients to self-advocate with our tool kits
• Signposting clients to other services where required
• 1:1 casework
• Supporting the service to deliver “collective” advocacy sessions
• Keeping detailed notes and records of casework
• Promotion of services through events and community engagement
Full training and excellent support is provided to all volunteers.
All help makes a real difference and is greatly appreciated.
Organisation aims and objectives
We’re an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services. We want to deliver the best possible quality of support to people so they are heard, respected, safe and in control of their own life. We believe that everyone, regardless of situation, illness or disability, has a right to: > be heard and respected > have the same choice, control and freedom as any other person > be safe from violence, discrimination, harm or abuse Everything we do is focused on achieving this aim.
Restrictions
PVG check required (at no cost to volunteer)
Volunteering opportunities are available Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm. Volunteers usually provide 2 to 3 hours of support every week.
Minimum 6 month commitment to role.
Experience required: • Good communication skills – written and verbal
• Empathy and patience when dealing with clients who have challenges
• A knowledge of or interest in advocacy
• A knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel & Outlook
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to manage own time and prioritise workload
• Ability to work independently & as part of a team
• A commitment to the aims and ethos of VoiceAbility
Travel details: Volunteers must be able to travel in local area (meet clients, networking etc).
Travel expenses will be reimbursed.
Minimum age: 18
Support
Expenses paid: Yes
Training details: Full training and excellent support is provided to all volunteers. Includes a mixture of instructor-led training on Microsoft Teams and e-learning modules to complete in their own time. Training is comprehensive and covers topics such as: introduction to VoiceAbility, what is advocacy, boundaries, confidentiality, safeguarding, how to network effectively, and more.