Advice Centre Volunteer

Support disabled people, their families, friends and carers by providing information, advice and practical support. Working alongside our Advice Centre team, volunteers help people understand their options, access services and make informed choices.

Depending on your interests and experience, you may support people with disability-related benefit applications, provide information appointments, help with benefit checks and applications, support people preparing for medical assessments, or signpost people to specialist services.

Volunteers may also respond to telephone, email and face-to-face enquiries, carry out research, update client records and support administrative tasks such as scanning, filing and uploading documents. The role can involve supporting people in person, by phone or online.

This is an opportunity to use your skills, develop your knowledge and make a real difference by helping disabled people access information, support and choice and control. 

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Benefits

Develop your knowledge and skills – Gain experience in advice and support, disability equality, benefits and local services, while developing communication, listening and problem-solving skills. Make a meaningful difference – Help disabled people access information, understand their options and have greater choice and control over their lives.

Be part of a supportive team – Meet new people, build confidence and work alongside staff and other volunteers in an inclusive charity environment.

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Practical Considerations

This role is based at our Head Office in Kemp Town, Brighton. We are well served by public transport and travel expenses are paid for volunteers.

Desk volunteers usually support sessions on Tuesdays or Thursdays, either 10am–1pm or 1pm–4pm.

Appointment volunteers usually provide one appointment of around 2.5 hours per week, between 10am and 4pm on Tuesdays or Thursdays.

We ask for a regular commitment of one shift or appointment per week for a minimum of 6 months.

Our building is accessible and we are happy to discuss reasonable adjustments with you, including changes to activities, timings, equipment or any additional support needs.

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Support Disabled

As a disability-led organisation, we are committed to making volunteering accessible and welcoming for everyone. We recognise that people may need different types of support to participate, and we are happy to discuss reasonable adjustments with volunteers before and during their time with us. Support may include adapting activities or timings, providing equipment or additional guidance, making changes to communication methods, or offering extra support when learning new tasks. We take a person-centred approach and work with volunteers to understand what will help them feel confident and included. Volunteers receive an induction, ongoing guidance from their volunteer lead and regular opportunities to discuss how things are going. We value the lived experience and skills that disabled volunteers bring and aim to create an environment where everyone can contribute.

What skills do I need?

We are looking for volunteers who are:

•  Friendly, approachable and able to build trust with people
•  Good listeners who can communicate clearly and sensitively
•  Respectful and non-judgemental when supporting people with different experiences and needs
•  Patient and able to take time to understand someone’s situation
•  Reliable and able to make a regular commitment
•  Organised and able to manage information accurately
•  Comfortable using basic IT systems, including email and Microsoft Office
•  Able to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately
•  Interested in disability equality and supporting disabled people to have choice and control over their lives.

Experience of working with the public, providing advice, supporting benefit applications or knowledge of disability services is useful but not essential. We provide training and ongoing support to help you develop your skills and confidence.