A local project to help residents of Burngreave with social welfare issues has now set up office in the heart of the community on Spital Hill.
Burngreave Advocacy Now was set up in 2003 and previously operated from the SADACCA centre on the Wicker. It is now based on the site of the former Job Link office on 99–103 Spital Hill.
The project aims to help resolve problems that residents may be facing through a group of paid and volunteer advocacy workers. Advocates help vulnerable members of the community who are not fully accessing their rights due to barriers such as language, disability, lack of confidence or simply lack of information.
Advocates can help by making phone calls, reading and writing letters, helping to fill forms in, attending appointments and giving information about other services. They are a voice for people in powerless situations and protect their rights.
Advocates are proficient in English as well as the community languages of Arabic, Somali and Urdu / Punjabi and can also provide assistance to speakers of other languages through interpreters.
The Project has four paid advocates and a growing number of volunteer advocates. Amongst them are volunteer advocates Joanne Crowe and Denise Palmer.
Joanne said: “Volunteering allows me to help and support other people whilst I can gain valuable experience to become a full time community support worker.”
Denise added: “I live in the community and despite having six children I can find the time to volunteer and give something back to the community. Volunteering is also helping me gain confidence to move into full time work.”
CAN YOU HELP?
We are looking for additional Volunteer Community Advocates.
You will receive valuable work experience, free training & support plus travel, childcare & lunch expenses.
You can get involved if you are 18 or over, enjoy helping others, can speak, read and write in English and are available 8 hours a week spread over 2 days.
Interested? Please contact Rachel Armitage, Volunteer Support Worker, or Fouzia Ali, project coordinator, for more information and an application form:
Burngreave Advocacy Now! 99–103 Spital Hill, Sheffield S4 7LD. Tel: (0114) 275 0262 Fax: (0114) 275 0249 Email: rachel@advocacynow.org.uk or fouzia.ali@advocacynow.org.uk
Logged in users of the website can add comments to this page.
Login to this site if you'd like to add a comment. Sign-up for an account if you are not currently a member.