Volunteer Community Advocate

An opportunity to support refugees and asylum seekers from a variety of countries to access services and navigate systems in the UK.

The Organisation

Afghan Association Paiwand was formed in 2002 by committed volunteers from the Afghan community in the UK. The association was formed in response to a manifest growth in problems faced by members of the Afghan refugee community living in the UK in the areas of housing, employment, education, children, family support and mental health. Paiwand supports all asylum seekers, refugees and migrants to the UK, not just Afghans.

The Advocacy Service

The Paiwand Advocacy Service aims to assist and enable refugees and asylum seekers to have their views taken into account by the organisations who make decisions which affect them. Advocacy is not about making decisions for people, but about giving them the information and resources they need to make decisions for themselves and then assisting them in following through those decisions. The service provides people with advice in support in a number of areas including housing, welfare benefits, legal rights, access to education etc. The advocacy service provided by Paiwand is both free and independent.

The Position

We require volunteers to work under the supervision of the Advocacy Services Manager to interview clients and assist in providing advice and advocating with clients to access quality services. This may involve writing letters and making phone calls on behalf of clients, carrying out research as well as other tasks. Working hours will be flexible, and can be negotiated with the Advocacy Service Manager. The Paiwand office is located in North-West London, close to Harrow-on-the-Hill, with advocacy outreach clinics in Ealing and Barnet. 

It would be desirable for volunteers to have knowledge/experience in one or more of the following areas:

·         Human Rights;
·         Welfare Benefits;
·         Public Law;
·         Fluency in Somali, Farsi, Dari, Pashtu & Arabic language.

Training & Expenses

A full induction and 2 day training will be provided. Interviews will take place in September and 6 month part-time placement will start early October 2015. For volunteers, all travel costs and lunch expenses will be reimbursed. 

Application Process

Please send a CV and covering letter to Sarah Wahby at [log in to unmask]

www.paiwand.com

Sarah Wahby
Advocacy Service Manager
0208 905 8770
www.paiwand.com
@AA_Paiwand
Our new office will be located at
Middlesex House
130 College Road
Harrow
Middlesex
HA1 1BQ

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