Volunteer: Advocate, Omagh

Purpose of Role: To provide independent advocacy for people with dementia to enable their views to be heard in decisions about their lives.

Role Supported By: This role is supported by the Advocacy Programme Manager

Where is it you want me to volunteer? Advocacy for people with dementia can take place in a range of settings, including nursing homes, hospitals, day centres and people's own homes. Some advocates will be based predominantly in one nursing home. This opportunity is for the Omagh area

Skills and Experience

Essential:

An interest in dementia
Experience of interacting with the health and social care system in Northern Ireland in relation to disability or dementia
Good listening skills
The ability to take on board and represent views that may be different from your own

Time commitment: The time commitment is flexible. However the following are essential:

For case advocacy once a case is undertaken, the volunteer advocate is expected to see it through to its conclusion, as agreed with the Advocacy Programme Manager. Cases will not be allocated without full discussion which will include anticipating the probable time commitment
For advocacy in nursing homes, a visit to the home at least once per fortnight is expected.
Volunteers are required to attend initial training and to commit to ongoing training up to three hours every three months
Volunteers are required to attend management supervision sessions at mutually agreed times
There may be a need to have some availability within normal office hours to attend case meetings or contact health and social care providers.

How do I apply?
To apply for this role please email your enquiry to Dubheasa Gallagher, Volunteering officer on mailto:volssouthwestni@alzheimers.org.uk or contact 028 82240826