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We are looking for Benefit Assessment Support volunteers who will meet with clients, help them to prepare for the assessment, attend the assessment with them and meet with them for a short follow-up if required. Funded through a grant from national Mind, the Benefit Assessment Support will support claimants in Bromley, Lewisham and Greenwich who have mental health issues. Support will provide the knowledge and confidence when attending their assessment to demonstrate fully the difficulties our clients experience in their daily lives. - You will have a basic understanding of welfare benefits and may have experienced the assessment process yourself. - You will have the necessary skills to support someone to explain how their health issues affect them in order for a quality assessment to be completed by the relevant agencies. - You will receive support in your role from a dedicated service coordinator who will offer guidance and training to help you in the role.
Able to encourage, support and empower clients: - Good listening and communication skills - Friendly welcoming and approachable manner - Able to understand, acknowledge and appreciate differences in individual experience of mental health problems and services - Basic knowledge of welfare benefits gained through either a work/volunteering capacity, or 'lived experience' of mental health issues.
Opportunity to support people to live with independence and dignity: - you will receive comprehensive training and ongoing support - this activity will be useful on your CV - you will develop a broad range of skills, such as: communication, listening, negotiating
3-4 hours a week
