Volunteer Advocate Bangor - Sunnyside House

How long and how often

The level of commitment for this role is flexible taking place weekdays during the mornings, afternoons or evenings. Volunteers usually give four hours per month depending on location. Although times are flexible, reliability is vital and we hope you will be able to provide continuity over a number of months.

Minimum age

18

Location

Sunnyside House, Bangor, Co. Down

Why we need you…

As a Volunteer Advocate you will provide proactive advocacy support in a Health and Social Care Setting. Utilising Advocacy Principles and a warm engaging approach Volunteer Advocates empower people with dementia by providing information, ensuring people’s human rights are upheld and their voices, wishes and concerns are heard using a person-centred approach.

Have you got what it takes to help people affected by dementia?

This role will suit you if you…

• Are passionate about supporting, enabling and empowering people with dementia and have a committed, flexible approach;

• Are friendly, approachable, non-judgemental and empathetic;

• Are a perceptive, emotionally intelligent person;

• Have excellent verbal communication and listening skills, especially face to face;

• Are happy to volunteer individually and remotely, yet understand you are part of a larger team;

• Are willing to volunteer within service boundaries and to learn new skills;

• Recognise the importance of confidentiality, and show this in practice;

• Are comfortable in a changing environment and enjoy working with different service users;

• Are committed to inclusion and treating people from all backgrounds with dignity;

• Recognise the importance of making people feel valued, treat people with respect and dignity, and have the ability to connect with people;

• Know about, or are willing to learn about dementia and its impact on people;

• Have previous advocacy experience or are willing to learn and undertake advocacy training; and

• Have an understanding of human rights and the Health and Social Care System or are willing to learn.

What’s involved?

To provide a high standard of advocacy support for people living with dementia you will…

• Apply the principles of advocacy enabling service users to have their voice heard, supporting them with decision making, self-advocating or advocating on their behalf;

• Recognise that the views you are representing may be different to yours;

• Use communication tools to support service users;

• Maintain accurate records;

• Offer individual 1-1 support but you will be part of a larger team of Volunteer Advocates and staff members;

• Ensure that conversations are kept confidentially in line with our data protection policy.

• Alert your manager of any safeguarding issues/concerns immediately, safely and securely;

• Liaise with your Role Manager and attend team meetings with your Role Manager and peer volunteers; and

• Keep up to date with knowledge of the Alzheimer’s Society policies and procedures and provide a robust volunteer-led service in accordance with these.

What’s in it for you?

You will…

• Make a real difference to the lives of people living with dementia;

• Develop and build on your skills and experience in Health Social Care and Community settings; and

• Learn new skills and enhance and expand your CV.

Learning and development

You will…

• Undergo an induction into the role (mandatory training takes approx. 7 hours and includes an understanding of advocacy, safeguarding and using Person-Centred Practice tools);

• Have access to training and development;

• Have access to support and on-going opportunities for personal and professional development; and

• Gain an understanding of dementia and access guidance via the Society’s policies and procedures.

What can you expect from us?

You will be supported by the local Advocate. You will receive one-to-one or group support and participate in agreed on-going support. Agreed out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed in line with our Expenses Policy, for example travel mileage. You will agree to keep up to date with and to volunteer in line with the Alzheimer’s Society’s policies and procedures.

Volunteer today

To apply please return your completed registration form and equal opportunities monitoring form to Ruth Woodfield : [email protected]

Please note that this role requires two references and a criminal records check. If you have any questions or need more information you can email as above or call 028 90 387 486