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Applications for this position are open.
About the Magpie Project
The Magpie Project is a registered charitydedicated to supporting mothers and children who are living in temporary or insecure accommodation in Newham. We provide a safe, welcoming space where families can access vital services, receive guidance, and find community support. Our mission is to ensure that all children have the right to a secure, safe place to play, healthy food, informed and engaged parents, and access to necessary support, regardless of their family’s circumstances. Through our work, we aim to make a tangible difference in the lives of marginalised families.
Role description
This Thursday morrning form-filling session was created in collaboration with Magpie Project and Clyde & Co, and takes place at the UCL iLAC office. Clyde & Co volunteer solicitors will come into the iLAC office on Thursdays to support mothers with completing a variety of online and paper forms, including applications for Universal Credit, housing, school placements, and other essential public services. They also help mothers read and understand official letters, such as utility bills, legal documents, bank statements, and correspondence from healthcare providers.
As a Thursday Morning Form-Filling Volunteer, you will play a crucial role in supporting the volunteer solicitors. Your primary responsibility will be to assist them in logging information on AdvicePro, uploading documents, and helping set-up relevant systems. You will gain hands-on exposure to the legal process by supporting solicitors from Clyde & Co. This role will help you develop skills in data entry, organization, communication, empathy, and cultural sensitivity.
In addition to your role-specific training, all students volunteering on a CAJ pro bono placement undertake mandatory training which covers the following:
GDPR Training
Safeguarding
Working in a Third Sector Environment
Data Protection and Confidentiality
Working with Vulnerable Clients
Professional Conduct and Regulation
Self-Care and Resilience
Pro Bono Skills Development Framework
The Centre for Access to Justice now offers all students engaged in extra-curricular pro bono the opportunity to participate in the Pro Bono Skills Development Framework. This framework allows you to reflect on the skills gained during your placement, aligned with the Aurora Competence Framework. Completing it earns you a Certificate of Commitment to Pro Bono, acknowledging your dedication and skill development. Your participation will help you document and showcase the valuable competencies you've developed, however, please note that participation in the PBSDF scheme is entirely voluntary and will not affect your placement in any way.
Eligibility
This opportunity is open to Year 1 LLB Students.
We are looking for volunteers who can demonstrate:
- Attention to detail
- High level of written english
- A knowledge of how to navigate online and paper forms, or the confidence to learn.
- A commitment to or an awareness of social justice issues;
- Reliability and commitment, good interpersonal and communication skills, including written and oral;
- Strong administrative skills.
Time Committments
We are looking for students who are able to commit to volunteering in-person in Stratford on Thursdays from 9:30AM - 1:30PM for both Term 1 and Term 2. If you are unsure about your timetable for the next academic year, please indicate your current availability and note in your application that it is subject to change.
Students are usually welcome to continue volunteering beyond into Term 3 but many prefer to focus on revision in term 3.
How to apply:
Applications for this opportunity are open. Apply here. Training will take place on 30 October 2024.
When applying, please make sure you have completed the CAJ Equality and Diversity Monitoring Questionnaire. You only need to complete this once per academic year.
If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact Jennifer Akinola at jennifer.akinola@ucl.ac.uk