Volunteer Advocate

Amazing, giving, and inspiring are just a few words we would use to describe our volunteers.

Our volunteers play an integral part in the services we provide and the people we support. If you are looking for a rewarding role where you will really make a difference whilst gaining experience along the way, then join us here at Rethink Mental Illness.

About the role

Do you have a desire to gain experience in supporting vulnerable adults? Or are you a retired professional who has experience of working with vulnerable groups and is looking for a rewarding way to fill your free time whilst utilising your existing skills?

As a Volunteer Advocate you will support our Camden and Islington Integrated Advocacy Service in the London Boroughs of Camden and Islington. 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.

You will be based at home but will be required to travel across the area to complete your role. Ideally, you will be able to commit half a day per week to volunteering

You will receive training and regular supervision to ensure you feel confident in your role. You can read more about the benefits of volunteering in the full advert on our website.

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.

Camden and Islington are two diverse London Boroughs, and we seek volunteers who reflect the diversity of these communities.

What you will be doing as a Volunteer Advocate

• 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
• Carry a caseload of 4-5 cases at any one time

What will make you a great fit for this role?

• Some experience of, or a desire to gain experience, supporting 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

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.    

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.  

We therefore actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including applicants with lived experience, those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (or questioning), Intersex and (asexual) (LGBTQIA+), people with a disability, and people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.