Community Advocates
Volunteer to help others
Expressions of interest are now being sought for training as Advocates for Black Ribbon NZ Trust's Advocacy Services nationwide.
Becoming an advocate helps the people in your local community in having their voices heard and their needs met in times of crisis.
About Advocacy
As an advocate, you will need to be a referrer, not a do-er. You will be given access to our database of support services and be required to keep detailed records of all of your clients, so some degree of computer literacy and networking ability is needed, along with the ability to put your personal biases aside for the good of your client.
You will need to have a clear understanding of how to preserve the principles of privacy for your client, what your advocacy ethics require of you, and how to conduct yourself in your community to promote good relationships with other organisations that may help your clients.
You need to be ably compassionate to assess the needs of your client, but not allow yourself to cross the personal boundaries between advocate and client. You are there to support and empower your client, not become their crutch! Your goal is their independent long-term wellbeing.
This role ideally suits someone who has flexibility of hours, as you may be woken in the middle of the night or have your day interrupted by the urgent needs of others in the community. Advocacy training will be via online training sessions and will train you to provide referral and social advocacy services to the elderly, the disabled, children, and men and boys as they navigate services which meet their immediate crisis needs.
Please message us for more information, or give us your details to be added to our advocacy services training list.
What Advocates Do
Here are just some of the things our advocates will probably need to do:
- Help get a client out of a dangerous situation or away from the home, and relocate them somewhere safe.
- Monitor the safety of any children your client is in contact with, whether they are the victim or the perpetrator of violence.
- Attend Court appearances with your client as a support person.
- Visit your client in hospital.
- Find family violence support services in your local area for your client, and meet with their counsellor or social worker with them.
- Pick up, drop off, or visit with your client at the Police station.
- Advocate with your local MP for services in your area.
- Network in the local community to find out what services are available, and where/when they can be contacted.