Advice Centre Volunteer

Our information and advice desk is always busy, so if you think you could help us we’d love to hear from you.

Our Desk Volunteers are the first point of contact for enquiries by phone and email. This is an interesting and varied role and no 2 days are ever the same. Tasks include:

• Taking accurate messages and passing these on
• Conducting research for more complex enquiries
• Signposting people to other services
• Booking appointments
• Updating the calendar
• Updating databases
• Providing general admin support.

Our Appointments Volunteers help our clients to complete applications for a range of disability related benefits. These appointments are on a one-to-one basis either by phone, video call, or in person.

Full training and induction is provided for all volunteers, together with shadowing sessions, to ensure our volunteers feel confident and supported.

Skills

We're looking for people with a range of skills and experience to volunteer with us. You might have experience of navigating the benefit system yourself, or maybe you have good computer skills and want to gain some work experience.

Here are some of the skills we're looking for:

• Reliable, able to attend 1 shift per week for a minimum of 6 months
• Competent computer skills
• A friendly and supportive telephone manner
• Good organisational skills
• Able to use own initiative
• Able to pass on information accurately
• Good communication skills
• Able to discuss issues of a personal nature with a sensitive and non-judgemental approach.
• Able to maintain confidentiality
• Some experience of office or admin work
• A commitment to providing quality services for people living with health conditions

You don’t need to be a disabled person yourself or have personal experience of claiming benefits.

Benefits

1. An opportunity to enhance and build on your skills and experience. Whether you're looking to get into work or you just want to brush up on your computer skills, we're happy to help you get there.
2. The chance to build confidence, self-esteem and make a difference. Our volunteers come from all walks of life, but every single one reports a boost in confidence and self-esteem from volunteering. It's a great feeling to go home at the end of the day knowing you've made a real difference. 
   
3. Access to a range of free courses. Whether it's building on computer skills, learning more about equality, or working on your personal confidence, we can help you find a course to get there. All volunteers are invited to the same internal and external training as our staff members.  

Our volunteers have a lot of fun, too!

Practical Considerations

• All of our offices are fully accessible and we are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments needed to make volunteering work for you. 
• Travel expenses are paid.
• This role is for a set shift once per week, either 10am to 1pm, or 1pm to 4pm. 
• This role is based at our head office in Kemp Town. 

When do I need to be available?

Details	Volunteers must be able to commit to 1 shift per week for a minimum of 6 months. Shifts are 10 to 1 or 1 to 4.

	Morning	Afternoon	Evening
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Where does this role take place?

Register your Interest