Home About us For volunteers For organisations For groups Find opportunities Contact us

Find opportunities

Advocacy / Human Rights

Volunteer Independent Advocate

  • Dumfries and Galloway Advocacy Service
  • VO38964

Description

The role with Dumfries and Galloway Advocacy Service is to provide Independent Advocacy to vulnerable people across Dumfries and Galloway. To both empower and enable clients to be heard and to take as much control of their situation as is possible.

Being an Independent Advocate involves listening and making sure the client’s thoughts and wishes are understood and that the clients’ voice is heard. It is about the client being in control of their situation.

As well as having face-to-face and virtual meetings with your client there will be a requirement for all meetings and communications on the progression of the client’s case to be kept electronically. For this reason, you must have access to a laptop / computer, the internet and a landline or mobile phone.

You must be able to keep confidences (organisational exceptions) and boundaries, express yourself clearly in verbal / written form, work as part of a team and on one’s own, be able to use email, word etc and carry out work electronically.

You will also be required to attend meetings with the client and source information to allow the person to make informed choices. You will make a difference to other people’s lives; develop new skills and meet new people and you will work alongside a small friendly team.

Organisation aims and objectives

We are a value based organisation focused on delivering issue based advocacy that is independent, confidential and accessible to all who experience vulnerability. We support and promote the development of high standards and principles in independent advocacy at a local and a national level, in partnership with, and independently of, other organisations. We defend the rights of those in most need to services and to inclusion in the planning of those services, and we work towards empowering them to take part, and also influence service providers to listen to those that use their services.

Availability

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening

Flexible.

Frequency and commitment details

Flexible.

Restrictions

Experience required: You will receive training in independent advocacy, learning disability, the mental health(care & treatment) (Scotland) act 2003, adult support and protection as well as listening and communication skills and much more. You will be mentioned and have access to peer support and supervision. The skills you will learn are transferable and could be added to your CV to help with any future employment and if required we can also support you with a reference.
Travel details: Office F2, Hestan House, Crichton Business Park, Bankend Road, Dumfries DG1 4TA We require volunteers across the region to work within their local community.
Minimum age: 18

Support

Expenses paid: Yes
Expenses details: Reasonable out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed.
Support: Childcare,
Named Contact For Volunteer,
Wheelchair Access/Disabled Access Toilet

Last updated 3 months ago

Similar opportunities

2nd Hawick Boys' Brigade are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help lead games and sporty activities for their children and young people in the Anchors and Junior Sections, working with Primary 2 - Primary 6 aged children. The group meets on Wednesday evenings during term-time, taking part in a wide range of activities including crafts, games, sports, cooking, life skills and community projects.
Find out more
You don't need to be a social media or marketing expert for this role - just able to use the internet, email and confident talking to people. We’ll tell you about our latest national fundraising activities, emergency appeals and campaign messages so you can tell others and encourage them to take part, support and attend events. You’ll research local opportunities, and contact local businesses, schools and local groups. You’ll also find free ways to tell your community about what’s happening locally and nationally. The Community Fundraising Manager is only a phone call away for support and you’ll meet up with them regularly to make promotional plans and for any mutual updates. It’s a really flexible role which can fit around your other commitments. If you’re over 18 and can commit to at least two hours a week for a minimum of six months please get in touch.
Find out more
Retail Volunteer
  • Save the Children
Our Save the Children Shop in Broughty Ferry has been a much loved part of the local community for years and continues to be hugely popular with customers and supporters, thanks to the kindness and generosity of the wonderful volunteer team. If you would like to volunteer with us all you will need is some enthusiasm and a desire to make a difference. The role is diverse, taking place on the shop floor and behind the scenes. Volunteer tasks include anything from sorting donations, steaming clothes, pricing products, managing the till, and helping with the window displays. You can choose how much time you dedicate, and we’ll give you training and support along the way. No special skills are needed, and we welcome people from all nationalities and backgrounds. Your donation of time, creativity and kindness can help us change the future for children all over the world!
Find out more
Living Well Support Volunteer
  • The Ayrshire Hospice
This role is to support people living in our communities to live well with their illness. We currently do this in a variety of ways – face to face in our Hubs, online via zoom, and via activity packs in the post. You could support us in any or all of these formats. The time you would commit to this role would be flexible. Ideally, we would like ongoing (weekly) commitment to the service, particularly for face to face service and social chat online. However, if you can commit a period of time regularly to the hospice e.g. a creative writing course for 6 weeks we would also consider this. The benefits you will receive include: -The opportunity to gain experience in the charity sector -Take on a new challenge and meet new people -Opportunity to make a difference to your community -Learn and develop new skills and use existing skills to help others -Training and support to carry out your role -Reimbursement of expenses in accordance with our volunteer expenses policy
Find out more