Volunteer Hub
Case Work Volunteer
Organisation Details
Revive Charity UK
Activity type: Advice, Information and Support, Asylum Seekers and Refugees, Domestic Violence, Homeless and Housing, Human and Civil Rights, Legal and Justice, Race and Ethnicity
Stellify Award: This opportunity is part of 'Make a Difference'
Organisation Description: Revive provides free integrated support and services for refugees and people seeking asylum in the Greater Manchester area, enabling them to integrate and participate in their new community.
Our vision is to provide high quality services to help refugees and people seeking asylum on their journey of recovery and growth. As Revive is a charity, we rely on donations of money and resources to run all our services.
We are looking for people to volunteer as caseworkers, admin assistants, translators, immigration/accommodation advisors, peer mentors, befrienders and fundraisers. We are so grateful for all our volunteers who keep Revive running.
Our vision is to provide high quality services to help refugees and people seeking asylum on their journey of recovery and growth. As Revive is a charity, we rely on donations of money and resources to run all our services.
We are looking for people to volunteer as caseworkers, admin assistants, translators, immigration/accommodation advisors, peer mentors, befrienders and fundraisers. We are so grateful for all our volunteers who keep Revive running.
Description of role: As a Casework Volunteer, you will support the Case Work Coordinators to deliver our advice service to clients. You will be part of a small and friendly team of paid staff and volunteers with a strong commitment to supporting refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants.
Our approach emphasises empowerment and supports clients towards independence but this is a graduated path and your tasks may include:
• Supporting clients to understand and complete immigration application forms, under the supervision of OISC-accredited staff
• Supporting clients to complete Universal Credit and other benefit applications and to manage their Universal Credit accounts
• Supporting clients to manage their Manchester Move accounts and to 'bid' for housing
• Completing client referrals to hostels and night shelters
• Supporting clients with school admission applications
• Supporting clients to manage their utility payments
• Supporting clients to apply for replacement ID cards online
• Writing letters for clients, for example, to show that they are accessing the service at Revive
• Carrying out online research, providing information to clients and assisting with other tasks, as required
You would be required to:
• Complete case notes of all work undertaken with clients
• Keep up-to-date records of client information.
• Liaise with external service providers as required
• Attend training on topics relevant to your role. With proof of commitment, there may be opportunities to work towards qualifications such as OISC Level 1, a Level 3 NVQ Certificate In Advice & Guidance (QCF), or an OCNLR Level 1 Award in Information, Advice & Guidance
In this role, you will:
• Gain experience of advice work and of the voluntary sector
• Develop skills and knowledge in a range of disciplines, including the immigration system, benefits, health and housing provision
The successful candidate will have:
• A good level of both spoken and written English
• Competence in ICT – specifically, the ability to use the internet, fill in forms online and use Microsoft Office
• The ability to learn quickly, take responsibility and work on their own initiative
• Experience of dealing with complex legislation or the willingness and ability to do so
• Empathy for and an understanding of the needs of refugees, asylum-seekers and other migrants
• An interest in developing advice and advocacy skills
• An approach to work which is empowering, professional, non-judgemental and supportive of individuals from a range of different backgrounds
It would be desirable for the successful candidate to have some prior knowledge of the UK benefits, housing and/or immigration systems but this is not compulsory and training will be provided in these areas if the competencies above are met.
Additional Information
• The successful candidate must be prepared to commit to working one day per week for a period of six months (our Immigration drop-in is on a Tuesday in Beswick and our Social Support drop-in is on a Wednesday in Salford so we ideally need people who can support at one of these sessions)
• The successful candidate may be required to undergo a DBS check
• We reimburse out-of-pocket travel expenses
• Lunch is provided at drop-in sessions
Our approach emphasises empowerment and supports clients towards independence but this is a graduated path and your tasks may include:
• Supporting clients to understand and complete immigration application forms, under the supervision of OISC-accredited staff
• Supporting clients to complete Universal Credit and other benefit applications and to manage their Universal Credit accounts
• Supporting clients to manage their Manchester Move accounts and to 'bid' for housing
• Completing client referrals to hostels and night shelters
• Supporting clients with school admission applications
• Supporting clients to manage their utility payments
• Supporting clients to apply for replacement ID cards online
• Writing letters for clients, for example, to show that they are accessing the service at Revive
• Carrying out online research, providing information to clients and assisting with other tasks, as required
You would be required to:
• Complete case notes of all work undertaken with clients
• Keep up-to-date records of client information.
• Liaise with external service providers as required
• Attend training on topics relevant to your role. With proof of commitment, there may be opportunities to work towards qualifications such as OISC Level 1, a Level 3 NVQ Certificate In Advice & Guidance (QCF), or an OCNLR Level 1 Award in Information, Advice & Guidance
In this role, you will:
• Gain experience of advice work and of the voluntary sector
• Develop skills and knowledge in a range of disciplines, including the immigration system, benefits, health and housing provision
The successful candidate will have:
• A good level of both spoken and written English
• Competence in ICT – specifically, the ability to use the internet, fill in forms online and use Microsoft Office
• The ability to learn quickly, take responsibility and work on their own initiative
• Experience of dealing with complex legislation or the willingness and ability to do so
• Empathy for and an understanding of the needs of refugees, asylum-seekers and other migrants
• An interest in developing advice and advocacy skills
• An approach to work which is empowering, professional, non-judgemental and supportive of individuals from a range of different backgrounds
It would be desirable for the successful candidate to have some prior knowledge of the UK benefits, housing and/or immigration systems but this is not compulsory and training will be provided in these areas if the competencies above are met.
Additional Information
• The successful candidate must be prepared to commit to working one day per week for a period of six months (our Immigration drop-in is on a Tuesday in Beswick and our Social Support drop-in is on a Wednesday in Salford so we ideally need people who can support at one of these sessions)
• The successful candidate may be required to undergo a DBS check
• We reimburse out-of-pocket travel expenses
• Lunch is provided at drop-in sessions
Skills / qualities associated with the role: Administration, Customer Service, Event Planning, Fundraising, IT Skills, Leadership, Marketing and PR, Oral Communication Skills, Practical Skills, Project Management, Public Speaking, Research, Team Working, Written Communication Skills
Are volunteer expenses available?: Yes
Duration of role: Ongoing / Long term
Opportunity times: Tuesday AM, Tuesday PM, Wednesday AM, Wednesday PM
DBS required: On
Can reasonable adjustments be made regarding additional needs?: Yes
Is this organisation part of the Sports Volunteering Scheme (SVS)?: No
Minimum hours commitment: 4 hours per week
Location:
187 Grey Mare Lane
Manchester
M11 3DN