Volunteer role description
In this role, you’ll be providing vital support to attendees at St Pauls Advice Centre’s eVisa drop-in by assisting people to update their physical Biometric Residence Permit to an online eVisa. The Home Office currently requires all holders of Biometric Residence Permits to convert to an eVisa. Doing so is essential to maintaining access to employment, social security and return travel to the UK, as Biometric Residence Permits will soon no longer be accepted as evidence of the legal right to reside. Many people need support to apply, due to finding the online process problematic and difficult to navigate.
You’ll work with the supervision and guidance of St Pauls Advice Centre staff and the Immigration Supervisor. The role will give you valuable experience of immigration work and the advice sector. You’ll meet people from diverse backgrounds and walks of life.
Availability and time commitment:
Mondays, 9.30am – 3.30pm, with a break in the middle.
The Monday drop-in service will be the second eVisa drop-in run by St Pauls Advice Centre. Currently, the drop-in runs only on a Wednesday. Due to high demand, a second drop in would enable us to register many more people. If possible, it would be helpful if you could shadow at the Wednesday drop once or twice before changing to Mondays.
We hope to open the drop in from mid-January 2025 and will review after 2 months to see if demand for registration remains high.
Skills and qualities required for the role:
- Good IT skills, with an ability to adapt to new computer software programmes.
- Good attention to detail and a willingness to keep records on our case management system.
- Good problem-solving skills, and a ‘can do’ attitude to dealing with problems.
- An empathic approach, showing an ability to listen and ask personal questions sensitively.
- An understanding of and commitment to equality, diversity and confidentiality.
- Fluent spoken English, good literacy and basic numeracy skills
- Reliability and good time keeping skills.
About St Pauls Advice Centre
Based in St Pauls, we have been running for over 50 years and have a wealth of experience, delivering debt, benefit & immigration support/advice to local communities. Volunteers are highly valued for their important contribution to St Pauls Advice Centre in increasing our capacity to support our clients and the local community.
We offer
- Thorough induction and role specific training.
- Regular supervision to discuss progress and ongoing development.
- A supportive team environment.
- Reimbursement of reasonable expenses
To find out more