SSAFA (Durham Branch)

Founded in 1885, SSAFA is the UK's oldest Tri-Service National Armed Forces Charity.

The Charity a provides lifelong support to all Serving members of UK’s Armed Forces, its Veterans and their families and dependents.

Anyone, irrespective of rank who currently serves or has ever served in the RN/RM, Army or RAF including their families, both regulars and reservists, are eligible for assistance from SSAFA. Additionally, SSAFA helps those from the RFA and Merchant Navy on behalf of the Merchant Navy Welfare Board.

SSAFA’s has a small professional staff and network of over 5,000 volunteers who assist more than 90,000 people every year, from World War Two to Afghan.

SSAFA Durham comprises 5 Divisions within Durham Branch; this includes a small Branch Office based in Durham with Divisions in:

Darlington - Darlington area
East Durham - covering the area from Seaham down to Hartlepool and across to Durham city.
Hartlepool - Hartlepool area
North Durham - covering Durham, Chester-Le-Street, Consett and Stanley.
Southwest Durham - covering from the A19, Sedgefield, Newton Aycliffe, Spennymoor, Bishop Auckland, Barnard Castle and Stanhope.

The Branch Office is open between 09:00 and 12:30 hrs Monday’s and Thursday’s.

Active opportunities

Caseworker

Ferryhill   Weardale   Bishop Auckland   Spennymoor   Sedgefield   Peterlee   Seaham   Consett   Crook/Willington   Chester le Street   Teesdale   Newton Aycliffe   Stanley   Durham City  
View this opportunity

DEBUG

{  SEO:  undefined,
    AuraDebugRenderer:  {  depth:  8,  showRequest:  false  },
    OrganisationInfo:
      {  _id:  '10094',
          name:  'SSAFA  (Durham  Branch)',
          email:  'Durham.Branch@ssafa.org.uk  ',
          type:  '',
          telephone:  '0191  383  9452',
          contactPerson:  'Karen  Cammack  /  Michelle  Scott  Michelle.Scott@ssafa.org.uk',
          website:  'www.ssafa.org.uk',
          description:
            'Founded  in  1885,  SSAFA  is  the  UK\'s  oldest  Tri-Service  National  Armed  Forces  Charity.\n\nThe  Charity  a  provides  lifelong  support  to  all  Serving  members  of  UK’s  Armed  Forces,  its  Veterans  and  their  families  and  dependents.\n\nAnyone,  irrespective  of  rank  who  currently  serves  or  has  ever  served  in  the  RN/RM,  Army  or  RAF  including  their  families,  both  regulars  and  reservists,  are  eligible  for  assistance  from  SSAFA.      Additionally,  SSAFA  helps  those  from  the  RFA  and  Merchant  Navy  on  behalf  of  the  Merchant  Navy  Welfare  Board.\n\nSSAFA’s  has  a  small  professional  staff  and  network  of  over  5,000  volunteers  who  assist  more  than  90,000  people  every  year,  from  World  War  Two  to  Afghan.\n\nSSAFA  Durham  comprises  5  Divisions  within  Durham  Branch;  this  includes  a  small  Branch  Office  based  in  Durham  with  Divisions  in:\n\nDarlington  -  Darlington  area\nEast  Durham  -  covering  the  area  from  Seaham  down  to  Hartlepool  and  across  to  Durham  city.\nHartlepool  -  Hartlepool  area\nNorth  Durham  -  covering  Durham,  Chester-Le-Street,  Consett  and  Stanley.\nSouthwest  Durham  -  covering  from  the  A19,  Sedgefield,  Newton  Aycliffe,  Spennymoor,  Bishop  Auckland,  Barnard  Castle  and  Stanhope.\n\nThe  Branch  Office  is  open  between  09:00  and  12:30  hrs  Monday’s  and  Thursday’s.\n',
          logoImage:
            '/public/imagestore/bypath/2020/07/17/555197b0ed566195be81a0154e40c8b5',
          urlFragment:  'ssafa-(durham-branch)-10094',
          hasKiteMark:  false,
          jobs:
            [  {  _id:  '1075',
                    name:  'Caseworker',
                    shortDescription:
                      'What  is  a  caseworker?  \nCaseworkers  visit  clients  to  work  out  what  type  of  help  they  need.  You  will  listen  without  judgement  to  assess  and  provide  tailored  support  to  help  those  serving,  who  have  served  and  their  families  to  navigate  life  in  and  beyond  military  service.  Some  examples  of  support  are  securing  funding  for  special  equipment  for  someone  with  a  disability,  adaptions  to  a  property  so  an  older  client  can  remain  at  home  or  funds  for  a  rental  deposit.  Caseworkers  also  sign-post  clients  onto  specialist  local  services  for  advice  on  benefits,  housing,  mental  health,  debt,  finding  work  etc.  \n\nWhy  do  we  need  you?  \nWe’ve  been  supporting  the  Armed  Forces  community  since  1885.  Our  clients  come  from  all  backgrounds  and  age  groups  and  may  have  served  in  WW2  or  in  a  more  recent  conflict  like  the  Falklands  or  Afghanistan.  We’d  love  the  general  public  to  understand  what  we  do  and  how  they  can  help  us.  \n\nThere  are  SSAFA  branches  throughout  the  UK  and  overseas  who  support  local  volunteers  to  deliver  services  to  veterans,  serving  personnel  and  their  families.  Some  branches  are  divided  into  smaller  divisions  to  ensure  the  best  local  service  delivery.  Each  branch  has  a  team  of  volunteer  caseworkers,  support  volunteers,  executive  roles,  and  fundraisers.\n\nVolunteer  Caseworkers  are  the  lifeblood  of  SSAFA,  supporting  a  growing  number  of  people  in  need  of  financial,  practical,  and  emotional  support.  Clients  come  from  all  backgrounds  and  age  groups  and  may  have  served  in  WW2  or  in  a  more  recent  conflict  like  Iraq  or  Afghanistan.  \n',
                    created:  2020-07-17T14:35:38.233Z,
                    orgId:  '10094',
                    locations:
                      [  {  _id:  '0366e9bc-759a-4a85-b61b-9c1e875fb215',
                              name:  'Ferryhill'  },
                          {  _id:  '07a9ee5d-99bc-4c60-9bee-6f9ab9e05aa3',
                              name:  'Weardale'  },
                          {  _id:  '1814ac6c-5538-48e4-b7d2-daa59dbcde46',
                              name:  'Bishop  Auckland'  },
                          {  _id:  '3c252b1f-64ba-4a78-80ce-eb1c1a85ed99',
                              name:  'Spennymoor'  },
                          {  _id:  '5ad6f3ab-1b0a-44ff-b970-e6f85ea9819c',
                              name:  'Sedgefield'  },
                          {  _id:  '5b2b5605-9529-47f4-ac1c-38047bbe19b9',
                              name:  'Peterlee'  },
                          {  _id:  '710b0919-db89-45b2-9090-119f234de243',  name:  'Seaham'  },
                          {  _id:  '82253aa4-1b3f-4ebb-84f9-03e9636d7d7e',  name:  'Consett'  },
                          {  _id:  'a3e08f6a-a827-4519-8f81-be886a5caa52',
                              name:  'Crook/Willington'  },
                          {  _id:  'a6875959-aadd-4224-b34b-6c8c0a3a2fc8',
                              name:  'Chester  le  Street'  },
                          {  _id:  'da6c2e8c-a707-4ed7-9611-5fcb033f9da7',
                              name:  'Teesdale'  },
                          {  _id:  'db2bec43-c298-4e80-bbeb-a5a51450975d',
                              name:  'Newton  Aycliffe'  },
                          {  _id:  'f4d2a5d6-487d-428d-89af-e519d70cf2fd',  name:  'Stanley'  },
                          {  _id:  'fb8f49ef-9a3a-40d6-bdac-f63a2590e544',
                              name:  'Durham  City'  },
                          [length]:  14  ],
                    jobTypes:
                      [  {  _id:  'dcd2ec1e-d601-4b34-935f-0e25eca9b74e',
                              name:  'Veterans  &  Armed  Forces',
                              backgroundImage:  '',
                              iconImage:  ''  },
                          [length]:  1  ],
                    active:  true,
                    contactPerson:  'Michelle  Scott',
                    contactEmail:  'michelle.scott@ssafa.org.uk',
                    contactTelephone:  '07887051999',
                    address:  '',
                    hours:  'No  set  hours',
                    startDate:  2020-07-17T14:35:38.233Z,
                    endDate:  2025-08-17T00:00:00.000Z,
                    whatYouWillBeDoing:
                      'What  does  this  role  involve?  \n•\tContacting  beneficiaries  and  arranging  to  meet  them  at  a  mutually  convenient  time.  \n•\tMeeting  beneficiaries  and  completing  a  form  to  assess  their  circumstances.  \n•\tSign-posting  clients  onto  local  services  providing  specialist  advice.  \n•\tApplying  for  funding  on  the  behalf  of  the  beneficiary  through  a  specific  process  and  system    \n•\tArranging  for  the  purchase  of  goods  and  services  \n•\tKeeping  the  beneficiary  informed  of  their  case  progress.  \n•\tLiaise  with  the  branch  and  regional  regarding  your  availability.  \n•\tKeeping  up  to  date  with  training  and  SSAFA  news  so  that  you  are  best  able  to  support  clients.  \n•\tBeing  a  positive  ambassador  for  SSAFA  remembering  that  anyone  you  meet  could  be  a  potential  client,  volunteer,  or  fundraiser.  \n•\tVolunteering  within  the  standards  and  values  of  SSAFA\n•\tAdhering  to  SSAFAs  policies  and  procedures  at  all  times,  including  safeguarding,  volunteering  policy,  equality,  diversity  and  inclusion,  health  and  safety,  data  protection  and  confidentiality.    \n',
                    skillsExperienceAndQualitiesNeeded:
                      'What  are  we  looking  for?  \n•\tFriendly  and  approachable  with  good  listening  skills,  patience,  and  a  positive  attitude.\n•\tGood  communication  skills  both  written  and  verbally.  \n•\tRespectful  and  non-judgemental  approach  with  beneficiaries,  their  family,  other  agencies  and  SSAFA  colleagues  \n•\tWillingness  and  ability  to  use  IT  systems  for  initial  and  on-going  training  and  to  enter  cases  on  the  Casework  Management  System.  Willingness  and  ability  to  send  and  receive  emails  –  you  will  receive  your  own  SSAFA  email  address  which  you  will  be  required  to  use  when  exercising  your  role.  \n•\tAbility  to  make  enquires  on  behalf  of  beneficiaries  by  phone,  email,  letter  or  by  filling  in  forms.  \n•\tAbility  to  keep  within  boundaries  of  the  role  with  regards  to  friendship  or  giving  advice  \n•\tReliable,  prompt  and  trustworthy.  \n•\tAccess  to  public  transport  or  a  car  to  travel  to  appointments  with  clients.  \n',
                    whenAndWhere:
                      'When  would  you  be  needed  and  where  would  you  be  based?  \nThe  essential  part  of  the  role  is  visiting  clients,  so  you  will  need  access  to  a  vehicle  or  another  way  to  travel  to  meet  clients  at  home  or  in  a  care  home  setting.  As  part  of  your  local  branch,  you  have  access  to  an  office,  but  you  can  complete  the  administration  part  of  the  role  from  home  as  long  as  you  have  access  to  IT  equipment  and  the  internet.\nOur  Office  address  is:  RCFA  Building,  53  Old  Elvet.  Durham.  DH1  3JJ',
                    supportOfferedExpenses:
                      'What  training  and  support  would  you  receive?  \n•\tRole  specific  training  to  prepare  you  for  your  voluntary  role  –  confidentiality  and  boundaries,  personal  safety,  caseworker  training,  and  caseworker  IT  system  training.\n•\tMandatory  on-line  training  modules  to  complete  at  home,  so  you  are  up  to  date  on  how  to  keep  clients,  their  families  safe  and  personal  information  safe.  \n•\tAccess  to  a  range  additional  e-learning  courses  as  well  as  local  opportunities  for  your  personal  and  professional  development.  \n•\tLocal  induction  including  assigning  a  person  from  the  team  who  will  be  your  main  point  of  contact.  \n•\tRegular  opportunities  to  meet  and  share  best  practice  with  other  caseworkers.  \n•\tRange  of  support  from  central  and  regional  volunteer  operations  team.  \n•\tReimbursement  of  out-of-pocket  expenses  \n•\tVolunteers  will  be  covered  by  SSAFAs  Public  Liability  Insurance  whilst  carrying  out  the  role.\n',
                    volunteerBenefits:
                      'What  can  you  gain  from  this  volunteering  role?  \n•\tUse  your  skills,  knowledge,  and  life  experience  to  benefit  others.  \n•\tSupport  from  your  local  SSAFA  branch  and  the  wider  SSAFA  community  \n•\tExperience,  training,  and  skills  that  you  can  highlight  on  your  CV  and  in  job  interviews.  \n•\tBetter  physical  and  mental  health  –  studies  show  that  volunteers  live  longer  and  experience  lower  levels  of  stress  and  depression!  \n',
                    otherInfo:
                      'We  welcome  volunteers  of  all  backgrounds,  abilities,  races,  sexual  orientations,  socio-economic  backgrounds,  and  of  all  faiths  and  none.  SSAFA  are  committed  to  making  reasonable  adjustments  to  support  volunteers  with  disabilities,  so  they  have  access  to  the  same  opportunities  and  experiences  as  volunteers  who  do  not.  \n\nMinimum  Age:  18  \n\nSafer  Recruitment:  SSAFA  undertakes  a  systematic  approach  and  utmost  care  at  every  step  of  the  process  of  volunteer  recruitment,  selection,  and  retention  to  ensure  that  those  recruited  are  suitable  and  appropriate.  Measures  taken  at  points  along  this  journey  work  together  to  make  volunteering  at  SSAFA  a  positive  and  safe  experience.  \n\nReferences  Required:  Yes.  We  will  ask  for  two  character  references,  this  can  be  a  former  employer  or  someone  that  know  you  well  (other  than  a  relative)  \n\nIs  a  criminal  record  check  required?  Yes,  this  is  provided  by  SSAFA  at  no  cost  to  the  potential  volunteer.  \n\n*A  disclosure  certificate  that  contains  convictions,  cautions,  warnings,  reprimands,  or  other  information  may  not  automatically  mean  that  you  are  not  able  to  volunteer.  All  certificates  will  be  reviewed  on  a  case-by-case  basis  and,  where  possible,  a  modified  or  alternative  role  will  be  offered.  ',
                    urlFragment:  'caseworker-1075',
                    websiteLink:  'https://www.ssafa.org.uk/durham',
                    under16:  false,
                    under18:  false,
                    accessibilityAndTransport:  '',
                    lastModified:  2024-07-22T11:31:56.000Z  },
                [length]:  1  ]  },
    contentItem:
      {  _id:  'eaad5c1f-d6ab-42ab-b018-b1cdee87abdd',
          host:  '',
          url:  '/organisation/:fragment',
          contentTypeId:  '3f4ea119-93bb-4fd3-94ee-22be50560da4',
          parts:
            [  {  partName:  'SEO',
                    name:  'SEO',
                    label:  '',
                    isContainer:  false,
                    containerId:  null,
                    containedById:  null,
                    uiGroup:  'SEO',
                    title:  '',
                    description:  '',
                    keywords:  '',
                    canonical:  '',
                    isData:  false,
                    get_content_item:
                      {  [Function]
                          [length]:  0,
                          [name]:  '',
                          [arguments]:  null,
                          [caller]:  null,
                          [prototype]:  {  [constructor]:  [Circular]  }  }  },
                {  partName:  'AuraDebugRenderer',
                    name:  'AuraDebugRenderer',
                    isContainer:  false,
                    containerId:  null,
                    containedById:  null,
                    isData:  null,
                    label:  '',
                    uiGroup:  '',
                    get_content_item:
                      {  [Function]
                          [length]:  0,
                          [name]:  '',
                          [arguments]:  null,
                          [caller]:  null,
                          [prototype]:  {  [constructor]:  [Circular]  }  }  },
                {  partName:  'ContentLoader',
                    name:  'OrganisationInfo',
                    isContainer:  false,
                    containerId:  null,
                    containedById:  null,
                    isData:  false,
                    label:  '',
                    uiGroup:  '',
                    get_content_item:
                      {  [Function]
                          [length]:  0,
                          [name]:  '',
                          [arguments]:  null,
                          [caller]:  null,
                          [prototype]:  {  [constructor]:  [Circular]  }  }  },
                [length]:  3  ],
          languageCode:  '',
          group:  '',
          title:  'Organisation  Page',
          generateUrl:  false,
          uiGroupOrder:  '',
          contentTypeName:  'Organisation',
          translations:  [  [length]:  0  ],
          custom:  false,
          urlPattern:  null  }  }