Are you interested in supporting disabled people to express themselves and have their views heard?
As an advocacy volunteer you will support adults with learning disabilities and autism to express their views, self-advocate and make informed decisions. You will support our students to take an active role in Student Voice, our student-led group that meet regularly to voice opinions and concerns, and have their views heard across Share and our local community.
About Share
Share is a registered charity and a centre for training and wellbeing. We provide a range of programmes helping adults with learning disabilities, autism and other support needs become more happy, healthy and independent. Our vision is a world where disabled people are fully included in society, living the life they choose, and we need talented people like you to help us make that happen.
As part of the role you will:
- Support our Student Voice facilitator to co-facilitate some of our weekly Student Voice sessions at Share Clapham Junction, Share Brixton and Share Tooting
- Support our Wellbeing Team Leader to co-facilitate our monthly Spectrum group (an empowering session where our students talk about challenges and celebrate uniqueness)
- Support ad-hoc advocacy outreach events and raise awareness in the community
- Support individuals to play an active role in advocacy across Share
- Raise awareness of students’ rights to statutory advocacy services
- Support students to access external forums and share their views
- Advise staff and students with issues and complaints regarding their access to services
- Signpost students to services and support
- Share your knowledge with staff and other volunteers
Commitment
Depending on your availability, we would welcome people who are available to support us in person 10am-4pm, one day a week (Monday – Friday).
Who we’re looking for
There are many qualities and characteristics that create a strong and valuable volunteer advocate. In particular, we are looking for someone who has a qualification in advocacy or has previous experience in being an advocate either in a paid or voluntary role.
We also need volunteers who are:
- Good listeners
- Able to understand how a learning disability can impact somebody's life
- Able to approach new people without prejudice
- Honest and trustworthy
- Committed and reliable
- Respectful of confidentiality
- Friendly and warm
- Empathetic and compassionate
- Professional in their approach
- Able to offer a caring and understanding presence
- Local to Wandsworth or Lambeth, or willing to travel there
- Local to Wandsworth or Lambeth, or willing to travel there
Why choose Share Community?
In 2023, Share was awarded the Investing in Volunteers quality standard for good practice in volunteer management. We were praised for our inclusive, welcoming, and flexible approach.
Previously, we also received a Best Practice in Volunteering Award from Lifetimes, an organisation that supports voluntary and community activity in Wandsworth. They were impressed by the support, training, recognition and reward that we give to our volunteers.
In return for you giving up your time for us, you can expect:
- A warm welcome into our organisation from our dedicated volunteering team.
- A full-day training for all new volunteers to give you confidence in your role.
- Ongoing support, and ‘top-up’ training from staff including topics like: Mental Health First Aid, Safeguarding, and Makaton.
- An opportunity to develop new skills and add to your CV.
- A reference for your time with us.
- Reimbursement of travel expenses within TFL zone 1 – 6.
- £5 towards lunch, or a free lunch in our onsite canteen at our Clapham Junction site (if volunteering for more than four hours a day).
- Invitations to all our events such as: our garden parties, away days, Christmas parties and our student awards ceremony.
- The opportunity to have your say in our annual volunteer survey.
- A genuine opportunity to make a difference and become part of a community.
To apply
Complete our online application form.
All Volunteers are required to provide professional references and undergo an Enhanced DBS check.
If you'd like to have a chat about the role, if you have any questions or if you would like any help with the application, please contact us via email volunteering@sharecommunity.org.uk or telephone 020 7924 2949.