Rethink Mental Illness
Volunteer Advocate
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At Rethink Mental Illness, we believe everyone deserves understanding, connection, and the chance to live a fulfilling life. Our volunteers play a vital role in supporting people affected by mental illness and helping create communities where no one feels alone.
About the role
We are looking for Volunteer Advocates to support our Camden and Islington Integrated Advocacy Service in the London Boroughs of Camden and Islington. You will be based at home but occasional travel across the borough may be required. You will ideally be able to commit half a day per week to volunteering (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm).
You will provide a non-statutory advocacy service to service users across Camden and Islington with an emphasis on supporting people with learning disabilities and Autism.
Full training and regular supervision will be provided, so you’ll feel confident and supported in your role.
This role requires an enhanced DBS check, which will be arranged and paid for by Rethink Mental Illness.
As a Volunteer Advocate, you will:
- Support service users across the London Boroughs of Camden and Islington to provide a non-statutory advocacy service to vulnerable service users
- Ensure that vulnerable people have a voice and are heard
- Promote the independence of the service and support service users to ensure that they are at the heart of the advocacy relationship
- Take part in meetings to raise the voice of service users
- Writing letters with, and on behalf of, service users
About the service
Our service works with vulnerable people across the London Boroughs of Camden and Islington to provide a one-to-one advocacy service. You will raise the voice of the vulnerable to ensure that their views are taken into account in decisions being made about them and for them.
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What will make you a great fit for this role?
- Some experience of, or a desire to gain experience, supporting with vulnerable groups
- Good communication and listening skills
- Ability to empathise with others
- Ability to ask sensitive questions to make sure you understand the issue fully
- Ability to question and challenge in an assertive but professional manner
- Experience or knowledge of mental health and social care issues
- Comfortable asking for help and support when needed
How to apply
To apply, please click the “apply now” button and complete a short interest form. A member of the team will review your application and be in touch to update you on the next steps. If your application is successful, you will be invited to take part in an informal volunteer discussion.
If you have any questions about the role or would like to find out more before applying, please contact the volunteer manager:
Georgeta Busuioc – georgeta.busuioc@rethink.org
Who are we?
We’re Rethink Mental Illness, a leading charity provider of mental health services in England. We support thousands of people through our groups, services, policy, campaigns and advice and information. Our work supports us in delivering on our mission: “A better life for everyone severely affected by mental illness.”
It is an exciting time to join our growing charity. We are on a transformation journey, one that supports the delivery of the organisation strategy – delivering Communities that Care. Supporting employees, managers and leaders through this change is a key priority for the People function. Just like its key that we attract diverse people to come and work for us.
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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
Diversity is important to us and we appreciate difference through difference, inclusiveness and belonging. It gives us a deeper understanding of the world, our society and the diverse communities we’re working with. By including everyone, we are able to draw on the unique experiences and expertise of our people to help shape and enrich our workplace and improve our services. One way we are doing is through our valued staff networks which play a critical and highly valued role in keeping us focused on creating a diverse, inclusive and engaged employer. We recognise and support staff networks for our Black, Asian and minority ethnic and our LGBTQIA+ colleagues. We are also proud to have been awarded Disability Confident Employer status and are a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter.
Becoming a truly anti-racist organisation
We have an ambition of become a truly anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider - and in our efforts to influence policy and wider societal factors impacting on mental health set out in our anti-racist statement. We have designed a multi-year anti-racist programme of work contained in our Race Equality Action Plan which demonstrate our intention to hold ourselves accountable and be judged on our progress on becoming a truly anti-racist organisation.
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