|
VOLUNTEER ADVOCACY TRAINING
SCHEDULED FOR THE 2ND, 3RD AND 9TH JULY 2010
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BECOMING A VOLUNTEER ADVOCATE, CALL US ON 01865 741200 or email us at: oadg@oadg.org.uk
We run 3 or 4 training courses each year. Each training course consists of 3 days' initial training and a fourth day when you have had some experience of working as an advocate. You must be able to attend all 3 days of the initial training consecutively.
Before being invited on the training you will need to have an informal interview with one of our coordinators so that you can find out more about us and we can find out more about you.
If you want more information, to discuss the process or what happens in the training, or want to learn more, call us on 01865 741200 or email oadg@oadg.org.uk and READ ON!
The training courses will be at:
Barton Neighbourhood Centre, Underhill Circus, Headington, Oxford OX3 9LS.
To read our Volunteer Specification, which tells you about the skills and qualities that we look for Click Here
BEING A VOLUNTEER FOR OA
Most of the advocacy work of OA is carried out by volunteers. These volunteers come from all walks of life, all age groups and all sorts of backgrounds. What they have in common is a little bit of time and an urge to do something useful!
Volunteers get an opportunity to:
- Work with and meet lots of different people - this helps to improve their communication skills and increase confidence in dealing with people.
- Receive ongoing in a variety of subjects.
- Discover and develop skills which will help with future employment.
- Do an accreditation which is part of an Open College Network
As a volunteer you will be trained by OA and checked by the Criminal Records Bureau before you start any advocacy work. Once you are an advocate you will be supported and supervised by a Coordinator. This means that you should always have someone to discuss situations with and to give you advice, or just to off load the details of a difficult meeting!
Obviously not everyone is suited to being an advocate and we hope that the initial training will give you the opportunity to find out if it something you want to do and are able to do. There are some qualities that we look for when recruiting advocates.
INFORMATION ABOUT BEING AN ADVOCATE
What we expect from you
- An understanding of the policies and procedures of OADG and a willingness to abide by them.
- Reliability and punctuality.
- To attend regular training and supervision sessions.
- To seek guidance when needed.
- At least a year’s commitment.
Essential Personal Qualities
- Listening and relating to different people.
- Putting aside what you think the person should do when representing someone.
- Calm and reasonable approach especially in emotionally charged situations.
- Respect for confidentiality.
Useful Experience
- To have an awareness of disability and how this may affect someone’s ability to speak up for themselves.
- Experience of working with people.
- An understanding of the structures and policies in statutory services.
OADG runs three different schemes providing advocacy for different reasons.
- provides short term or crisis advocacy for anyone.
- provides advocacy for people of any age with dementia.
- provides advocates to people with learning disabilities.
If you would like to volunteer for any of these schemes you can find the contact details on the page or the individual scheme’s page. |
