Our service provides advocacy for a range of clients including those with learning disabilities, autism, mental illnesses, long term conditions, physical disabilities. Clients may also have care and support needs or be carers, older people aged 65+, accessing substance misuse treatment or mental health support. As a volunteer you will be working with these clients across a range of issues to provide advocacy and help them to self -advocate, including: child protection proceedings, housing issues, finance and debt issues, welfare, benefits and funding issues, health and medical treatment issues, issues with social care providers and complaints about provider of services or complaints about the council. The advocates role is to be client centred, help them express their views, wishes and beliefs as well as helping clients to understand and seek information to help them explore options.
What I will contribute
• I will find information so that clients can make choices and sort out problems
• I will understand the client’s rights and make sure they are respected
• I will listen to client’s views and build trust and a confidential relationship
• I will Identify the partner’s choices and decisions, but not make or influence them
• I will act on the client’s instructions
Who am I?
I have the essentials covered: (Skills, experience, and attitude)
• Good communication and listening skills
• Ability to empathise with others
• Able to ask sensitive questions to make sure you understand the issue fully
• Ability to question and challenge in an assertive but professional manner
• Have knowledge or personal experience of mental health issues
• Be comfortable to ask for help and support
What I value and how I will behave
I can demonstrate and apply Rethink Mental Illness values of:
• Passion - We are passionate about leading the way to a better quality of life for everyone severely affected by mental illness.
• Commitment - We work tirelessly to provide support for everyone severely affected by mental illness.
• Openness - We are open and transparent in all our work with beneficiaries, supporters, partners and the public to achieve change for people severely affected by mental illness.
• Hope - We offer hope of a better quality of life for all those severely affected by mental illness.
• Expertise - We constantly use our expertise to provide practical and personal support for people who are severely affected by mental illness.
• Understanding - People who are severely affected by mental illness are at the heart of everything we do in our organisation – our membership, our governance and our workforce.
• Equity - We believe that in a world where discrimination and disadvantage exist treating people with equity is critical to ensure justice and fairness for all.
I can apply and demonstrate RethinkCARES behaviours of:
• Connect – We work together, we celebrate together
• Accountable – We do what we say we will do
• Respect – We believe everyone counts
• Evolve – We challenge, we listen, we change
• Success – We deliver results
7 hours per week
Field based volunteer, based from home and required to travel across all of Co. Durham
Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses.
What support will I get?
As part of my induction, I will complete the following training courses:
• Safeguarding adults
• Data security
• Professional boundaries
I may also be asked to complete:
• Safeguarding children
• Equality and diversity
• Health and Safety
• Mental Health Awareness
I will also have access to:
• Regular supervisions with my manager
What will I get out of it?
There are lots of benefits to volunteering. Here are just a few:
• Develop my existing skills or learn new ones
• Impact positively on my own mental health, as well as others
• Enhance my CV and boost my employability
• Gain a reference from Rethink Mental Illness
• Find a passion and maybe a step towards a new career
• Meet new people and increase my self-confidence
• Reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses
• Access to internal vacancies
This post will be subject to a DBS Enhanced with Children Barred check.
To apply for the opportunity please complete the online application form here: https://rethink.current-vacancies.com/Jobs/Advert/2452506??
