South West Advocacy Network (SWAN) provides free and independent advocacy services enabling people to have their views and wishes heard and ensuring they can access the support and services to which they are entitled.

Volunteer with SWAN

We welcome and support volunteers who give up their precious time to be part of our service delivery.  We see volunteers as an integral part of SWAN, enhancing our service offer to the community.

In return for your time we are able to offer a variety of training to complement your continuing professional development, and support and guidance to meet your desired outcomes.

Whichever role you choose you’ll be a valued member of our workforce and have opportunities to attend wellbeing events, workforce conferences and team building days.  We also host bi-annual events to recognise the contribution volunteers make and celebrate your impact.

We have a variety of opportunities to match your skills, experience and interests.

Current Opportunities

Role: Volunteer Advocacy Coach 

Locations: Isle of Wight, Somerset, Bristol & South Gloucestershire

Advocacy Coaches support clients through our Self-Advocacy Programmes to develop the skills and confidence to self-advocate, either for a one-off event of part of the client’s personal progression.

This is achieved through the delivery of Self-Advocacy Workshops, Peer Advocacy Groups and one-to-one self-advocacy coaching.

Click here: Volunteer Advocacy Coach Role Description 

Role: Volunteer Community Champion

Locations: Isle of Wight, Somerset, Bristol & South Gloucestershire

Community Champions support us to promote the service we provide on a local level by raising awareness of the service offerings, assisting with events and improving engagement with the community.

Community Champions are individuals who have strong links with their community and understand the needs of local citizens.

Click here: Volunteer Community Champion Role Description 

Role: Volunteer Living Well Advocate

Location: Wiltshire (currently seeking volunteers in the Salisbury area)

Living Well Advocates support people with long term health conditions to develop a Living Well Plan.

The Living Well Plan is designed to help people to reflect on their past (document their memories), recognise what is important in the present, and plan for the future.

Living Well Advocates empower people to have their voices heard, and preferences recorded for future decision making.

Click here: Volunteer Living Well Advocate Role Description 

Role: Volunteer Money Mentor

Location: South Wiltshire

Money Mentors work as part of our Community Money Advice team.  They work with clients to assist them with their debt or money issues, such as budgeting.

Money Mentors listen, provide support, guidance and advice to help clients assess and improve their finances.

Click here: Volunteer Money Mentor Role Description 

Role: Volunteer Advocate

Location: all delivery areas (currently seeking volunteers in Somerset and South Gloucestershire)

Volunteer Advocates can perform a variety of different roles including advocating for clients who lack capacity, to ensure their best interests are safeguarded and their rights are upheld.

Volunteer Advocates work with vulnerable clients in the community, and in mental health settings, to address issues such as housing, benefits or access to services.

Click here: Volunteer Relevant Persons Representative Advocate Role Description 

Click here: Volunteer Generic Advocate Role Description 

Click here: Volunteer Mental Health Advocate Role Description 

How to apply

For more information, or for an informal discussion, about any of these role, please contact our Volunteer Manager, Anna Temblett, on 03333 447928 or volunteer@swanadvocacy.org.uk

To apply, please complete an application form and return to volunteer@swanadvocacy.org.uk

Other Volunteer Roles

We have a number of other roles for volunteers within SWAN

• Volunteer Victim Advocate
• Access Team Volunteer
• Volunteer Administrator

Although we are not currently recruiting to these roles we are still keen to hear from interested candidates, so please do get in touch if you would like to learn more.

We also offer work placements to student social workers.

Stay in touch

Keep up to date with volunteering opportunities via our social media…