voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering
voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering
Equal Voice - Volunteer Advocate Preperation Course
Created: 02/03/2017Equal Voice are hosting a preparation course for volunteer advocates.
Equal Voice is a Citizen Advocacy project, funded by Fife Council. They are a registered charity who provide citizen advocacy for vulnerable Fife residents, aged 16-65 who have a learning disability, physical disability, mental health difficulty or chronic health issue (and are unable to manage their own affairs, without support).
They do this by matching up a partner with an advocate, which forms a partnership. This is carried out with the support of ordinary members of the public, who volunteer to become citizen advocates.
By becoming an advocate you will learn new skills, challenge your negotiating and listening skills, be unbiased and supportive. You can help your partner to source information and choices, deal with conflicts, reduce and manage risks to their safety, promote independence and self-esteem, whilst representing their right to an ordinary life.
These are skills most ordinary people have when sticking up for themselves, what we look for are people who think they can transfer these skills to speak up for another person when needed. Equal Voice are actively recruiting citizen advocates and offer full training with ongoing support to applicants. Full PVG screening will be undertaken, prior to being matched with a partner.
When matched and an advocacy partnership is formed both parties will benefit hugely, the partner has someone just for them, who listens and talks things over, without judgement and the advocate can expect to gain new and invaluable skills, whilst helping a member of their community to live with freedom and choice. They both can expect to have found a trusted new friend.
Citizen Advocacy can be both fulfilling and fun! If you are interested in attending please contact Equal Voice by using the contact details provided below.