UK charity Action for M.E. is looking for confident, professional, and interested in advocacy workers to make the most of their skills as a professional volunteer advocate.

They need assertive, IT-literate volunteers in the Midlands or South West, with good communication skills and the ability to understand detailed information; professional advocacy experience welcome.

Action for M.E.’s new free regional advocacy service stands up for the rights of all of their clients with M.E. on a range of issues to ensure their voices are heard in situations that affect them.

Many people with M.E. struggle to access appropriate care and support; one in four is house and/or bed-bound. They may mean being left out of decisions which are relevant to them, and which they have a right to be involved in.

One of their first clients, Sally, has recently been diagnosed with M.E. Having run her own business and worked full time, she found herself in a situation where she had to apply for benefits and get some support for managing her M.E. 

Her GP was sympathetic but didn’t seem to know a lot about the condition and Sally’s family and friends have been struggling to understand its impact. 

With support from Action for M.E.’s free advocacy service, Sally now feels more confident communicating with professionals, better informed about her rights and entitlements, and less isolated. 

She said: ‘‘Accessing the Action for M.E. advocacy service has given me more confidence to ask for the right support from my GP and to explain my condition to my family and friends, I felt supported and no longer on my own.” 

As a volunteer, you’ll get:

·        Access to free online and face-to-face training support, guidance and supervision from experienced advocates

·        Online peer-support from other volunteers

·        Out-of-pocket expenses (subject to completing training)

·        Valuable experience empowering and supporting vulnerable people, in a range of settings, to access support around employment, education, healthcare, social care and family.

 

Action for M.E. is asking for an initial commitment of two hours a week for six months, subject to careful shortlisting (with references and DBS check) to ensure you’re right for the role, and vice versa.

For further information visit: www.actionforme.org.uk/volunteer to find out more.

Action for M.E.is recruiting now until 14 April 2019.