Access to Healthcare Volunteer

The Access to Healthcare Volunteer will work with and advocate for clients to ensure they overcome barriers and get the healthcare support they need and are entitled to as soon as possible.

What will you be doing?

Access to healthcare is a vital part of our clients' recovery. Many of our clients have ongoing physical and mental health needs arising from their experiences in their home countries, their journey to and life in the UK. Unfortunately, our clients encounter numerous barriers to accessing the healthcare they need including bureaucratic delays, language barriers and miscommunication as well as problems accessing online services.

The Access to Healthcare Volunteer will work with and advocate for clients to ensure they overcome these barriers and get the healthcare support they need and are entitled to as soon as possible. The role is situated within the Housing and Welfare team but will support clients across the organisation who need support.

Main tasks and activities:

• Support clients to register for a new GP / dentist if they change area


• Help clients who are eligible to apply for HC2 certificates either online or via paper form


• Liaise with healthcare services to ensure that interpreters are available for appointments


• Apply for reimbursement of appointment travel costs for any clients who are eligible


• Keep clear and detailed notes on client records, including uploading any medical documents sent by the client
  
  Understanding of, and commitment to, the objectives of the Helen Bamber Foundation


• A demonstrable empathy for our vulnerable clients, including asylum seekers, refugees and survivors of torture and trafficking


• An understanding of the challenges facing our client group


• Knowledge of UK healthcare systems


• Experience working with vulnerable people


• Experience of administrative systems


• Excellent organisational skills and ability to manage own time and workload, and to prioritise a range of competing demands


• Punctual, reliable and self-motivated


• Excellent teamwork skills


• Willingness to complete any necessary training (eg working with interpreters)