Volunteer Role Description

- Welfare Benefit Form Filler

Role Title: / Welfare Benefit Form Filler / Date Valid: / Ongoing
Aim: / To help client by completing forms
Location: / Gateshead Advice Centre, The Davidson Building, Swan Street
When: / Starting date according to demand each month.
You will agree appointment times that you can agree to. Additional sessions to cover sickness will be required if possible.
Hours: / Minimum of two 1-hour appointment times usually over a morning or an afternoon. Appointments could be given on a weekly basis or fortnightly if preferred.
Commitment: / ·  To attend each appointment.
·  You must be reliable and punctual.
·  Help is valued during school holidays
Duration: / ·  As long as you can want to help
·  We hope that you will be able to make a long term commitment.
·  Progression to other roles may be possible if this is your first role with us.
Accountable to: / Alison Dunn
Reporting to: / Emma Marshall
Training: / ·  One-one training given.
Duties (following training): / Welfare Benefits Form Filler
·  Complete forms as directed by guidance notes.
·  Interview clients to gain crucial information for form.
·  Explain form questions in a different way to help clients
·  Record accurately clients answers
·  Explain/ give information detailing how client should handle subsequent correspondence/ telephone calls related to form
·  Record relevant information on systems as is needed.
Social policy
·  Identify social policy issues
·  Assist with social policy work by providing information about clients’ circumstances through the appropriate channel.
General responsibilities
·  Ensure that all work complies with Citizens Advice standards.
·  Work as part of a team giving support to other advisers.
·  Keep up to date with legislation, policies and procedures and undertake appropriate training for gateway assessment.
·  Read relevant publications.
·  Prepare for and attend supervision sessions / team meetings / staff meetings / external meetings as appropriate.
·  Demonstrate commitment to the aims and policies of the CAB service.
·  Abide by health and safety guidelines and share responsibility for own safety and that of colleagues.
What’s In It For You: / ·  An opportunity to help people in a small way that makes a big difference
·  Working with people and role where you can build up your understanding of the advice process slowly without pressure
·  Great way to work closely with the community of Gateshead
·  Work with a community orientated service.
Why We Want You: / We are the leading provider of advice to Gateshead on a range of issues and the drop in advice sessions rely heavily on a dedicated and dependable group of volunteers. We can not full fill our charitable aims with out the support of volunteers.
Notes: / ·  To be eligible you for this opportunity you MUST be able to attend reliably; appointments will be made in your name.
·  We are open 9-5, Mon-Fri and until 7pm on Thursdays.
·  We will pay you for all pre-agreed out of pocket travel expenses that you incur through volunteering.
·  All appointments are at the discretion of the Bureau and are subject to two satisfactory references.
·  Your progress will be reviewed throughout your training and if you or the Bureau feel that you are unsuited to advice work we will explore alternative suitable roles with you.
Personal Qualities / Role will appeal to those who answer yes to the below questions:
·  Do you have a willingness to learn and develop skills in our areas that we help our clients?
·  Are you looking for a rewarding people contact role?
·  Are you friendly and approachable?
·  Do you have the ability to use IT e.g. basic keyboard / data entry skills / navigation of internet?
·  Do you have good communication skills both written and oral?
·  Do you like working with people and like working in a team?
Application process: / Following a successful application an informal interview will follow. Two character references will be needed to confirm any position.
Further Information: / Paul Dutton, 0191 4408128,