Advocato Peer Support Volunteer

‘Listening and a voice for those that speak but are not heard.’

Have you applied for benefit and been stressed out, frustrated, angry or upset by the way the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) has dealt with your claim? Do you think you could help someone going through that now?

If so, then we want to hear from you!

We’re looking for people who have lived experience of the benefits system or supporting others with this and/or other welfare-related issues, such as housing or immigration. Our volunteers help clients 1:1 with disability benefit forms.

In this role, you will use your lived experience to show empathy and build trust with clients who may find it difficult to disclose their needs or who feel overwhelmed or daunted by the application process. By doing so, you will help challenge discrimination against protected groups, including the disabled, black and minority ethnic clients, those that speak English as a second language, lone parents and carers.

Training

Volunteers are closely supervised by our welfare benefits adviser and are always given ‘on the job’, practical training about the role, including the chance to observe advisers. We also give formal training: interview skills, boundaries for working with clients, effective case recording, PIP form best practice, Motivational Interviewing. Other external training would be looked at positively for any volunteer who requested it. All volunteers have access to benefit handbooks and a wide range of other advice resources. 

Location/time

You will work from our office in St Paul’s one day per week, during office hours.

How to apply

Please fill out this Application Form and we will get back to you. If you would like any further information before applying please contact us on:

email: advocato@stpaulsadvice.org.uk

phone: 0117 955 2981 (leave a message if necessary)