Welfare Rights Volunteer - Advisor

Welfare rights volunteers will be providing our centre users with advice and support about their benefits’ claims.

As a volunteer you will need:

Experience of giving advice within a welfare rights setting, ideally in face-to-face sessions as well as by phone.
Knowledge of the benefits system, including out of work benefits (JSA / ESA / Universal Credit), disability benefits (ESA / PIP / Universal Credit), Tax Credits, Housing and Council Tax.
Awareness of the needs of vulnerable claimants & the issues they face accessing the benefits system.

Volunteers receive in depth training in providing advice about welfare rights and the benefit system.
Volunteers get their travel expenses reimbursed (up to £5), are provided with training while performing the role and additional training opportunities as they progress if needed and available.
Volunteers are also entitled to have a free meal when kitchen is open and a reference after 3 months of volunteering with BUCF.

Volunteers are inducted into the group according to the following criteria:

They have had relevant training and/or experience and are willing to attend annual refresher training sessions provided by the local authority.
They shadow experienced advisors in drop-in sessions for at least 6 weeks.
After at least 6 weeks of shadowing experienced advisors, the Project Coordinator assesses, in agreement with the new volunteer, their readiness for holding drop-in advice sessions or one-to-one appointments. If this is agreed, the Project Coordinator will arrange initial sessions or appointments and be on hand to support.
They attend an individual supervision session in which the induction paperwork is completed.

Limited parking around the centre and unfortunately no access for wheel chair users (centre accessible only through 2 flights of stairs).

Details	Contact BUCFP office for actual slots availability.

Prior House
6 Tilbury Place
Brighton
East Sussex
BN2 0GY