Manchester Communities

Homeless Health Peer Advocate Volunteer

My Health Matters - Salford

Would you like to use your experiences to help others?

Information about the role

You’ll be helping people experiencing homelessness to access healthcare and improve their health. By providing support and advocacy, you’ll help make sure everyone has access to the healthcare they need – whatever their situation. This can also help people to move out of homelessness.

This role is for someone with lived experience of homelessness who is passionate about using their own experiences to help make change for people experiencing bad housing and homelessness. 

Location: Our Manchester Hub on Swan Street, and out in the Salford community.

Suggested contribution: One day per week (can be flexible around your commitments).

Availability: Volunteering will take place at a time that suits you, within Monday-Friday, 9am – 5pm

The above is the essential information you need to know. You can apply now by clicking ‘fill in an application’ or read on more for details.

Main activities may include:

• Supporting clients both on a one off and an ongoing basis.
• Arranging and committing to a regular time each week to support clients to get help with their health needs.
• Supporting clients with appointments, forms, letters and helping them to speak up for themselves. 
• Keeping your volunteer manager up to date and reporting any information, advice or guidance that has been requested.  
• Reporting any concerns about safety
• Providing feedback to help improve and develop the service

This role fights the housing emergency by directly helping people who are experiencing challenges with their health as a result of their housing circumstances. Having support from someone who has been in their shoes, can make a huge difference to the people we support.  

Benefits of volunteering with Shelter

Volunteers are essential to Shelter’s mission to end housing injustice. We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds. The insights and life experiences our volunteers bring to Shelter are valued as much as their contribution through volunteering.

We aim to provide our volunteers with a positive experience. This is by prioritising accessibility and tailoring the support we provide to the needs of the individual. We make sure our policies and processes are equitable, which means that no-one is unfairly disadvantaged while volunteering because of their background or identity.

Your skills and experience

This role is for someone who has personal experience of homelessness, whether that’s rough sleeping, sofa surfing or in temporary accommodation. We’re looking for someone reliable and friendly who is enthusiastic about helping others.

Supporting you

• You will be provided with an induction into your role, access to relevant learning and a copy of our volunteer handbook.
• The role, including learning and communications, are flexible, so can be tailored so they best suit your needs and preferences.
• You will be able to claim reasonable volunteering expenses in line with Shelter’s volunteer expenses policy. Where financial circumstances would be a barrier to volunteering, we may be able to offer these funds in advance.
• You will be able to access our volunteer support package, including our colleague assistance programme and Shelter’s network of mental health first aiders.

Next steps

You can apply for this role by clicking ‘fill in an application’. If you need to apply by an alternative method, please contact volunteering@shelter.org.uk to see what options are available.

We will then get back to you about your application. Shortlisted applicants will have a recruitment conversation to discuss the role further.

Upon offer of role, you will be asked to declare any convictions and complete an Enhanced level Criminal Record Check. Having a criminal record does not automatically mean you can’t volunteer with us. We will have a conversation with you to discuss the convictions in relation to the role you have applied for. Sometimes it may limit the ways you can get involved. Please contact us at volunteering@shelter.org.uk if you require more information.

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