Volunteer with Down to Earth and help us develop a brand-new eligibility checker for people needing help with funeral costs.
What is this role about?
Down to Earth is a helpline offering practical support to people on low incomes who are struggling with funeral costs. Our team offer practical support to help keep funeral costs down and raise money towards them.
However, we are a small team, and cannot offer one-to-one support to everyone. We are developing a new online tool for people to check their eligibility for the Social Fund Funeral expenses payment. The criteria are complicated, and we need your help to make the tool as easy as possible.
- Contact: Sophie Clarke
- Tel: 07765 297 515
- E-mail: sophieclarke@qsa.org.uk
We are looking for a broad range of people who:
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Have made an application, successful or unsuccessful, for the Social Fund Funeral Expenses Payment, or supported someone in a professional capacity to make an application.
- Are willing and confident to share their views, thoughts and comments
- Are willing to prepare for meetings (for example: reading information provided beforehand)
How much time will you be expected to commit?:
People with their own personal experience of making an application for the Social Fund Funeral Expenses Payment: The initial review of the new eligibility checker tool will run from 1 April 2024 – 10 April 2024 and you will need to:
- Commit to testing the online tool during this time, for at least 1 hour before the discussion meeting.
- Commit to meeting on 10 April from 10.30am – 12.00noon, online (via Zoom) to discuss the tool.
Professionals who have supported people with applications for the Social Fund Funeral Expenses Payment: The peer review section of the development will run from 8 March 2024 – 22 March 2024 and you will need to:
- Commit to testing the online tool during this time.
- Complete a simple form reflecting on the use of the eligibility checker, including wording and presentation of questions and explanations.
- Comment on the results of the eligibility, in connection with their professional experience.
Once the eligibility checker is live, we will assess its use. We then hope to acquire funding to develop it further.
What are the benefits of the role?:
If successful, you will receive the following:
- A small refreshment box for the meeting (for people with their own personal experience of the Social Fund Funeral Expenses Payment)
- Skills and knowledge to enhance your CV
- Acknowledgement on publication of the tool (optional).
What is the application process?
People with their own experience of making an application for the Social Fund Funeral Expenses Payment: Please complete the application form, or call Sophie Clarke (Down to Earth Co-manager – Direct support lead) on 07765 297 515, by Monday 10 March 2024 if you are interested in applying to be part of the discussion group. We will review all applications and let you know if your application has been successful by 15 March 2024.
Professionals who have supported people with applications for the Social Fund Funeral Expenses Payment: Please complete the application form, or call Sophie Clarke (Down to Earth Co-manager – Direct support lead) on 07765 297 515 by Friday 8 March 2024 if you are interested in applying to be part of the peer review consultation. We will review all applications and let you know if your application has been successful by 10 March 2024.
How we will process the information you provide:
We will store your information securely, and only contact you in the ways that you have agreed to. We will not share your information outside of our charity without your consent, unless we are worried that the safety of you, or others, is at risk. For more information see our privacy policy, or e-mail info@qsa.org.uk.