More photos from this internship can be found here
Our not for profit housing partner operates in Edinburgh and Glasgow to provide an independent support and brokerage service to disabled people, older people, and members of the Armed Forces community (currently serving and veterans) throughout Scotland. A key strategic partner of the Scottish Government, this organization’s innovative approach ensures that these groups have access to all the information, advice, and support they need to enable them to find the right home in the right place for their needs.
The organization advises disabled people, older people, and members of the Armed Forces community, but does not provide housing itself. The main aim is to ensure access to the appropriate and adequate housing for these populations. The organization has strong and effective links with local Scottish authorities who regularly refer clients to them and attend their training and events. The organization also has a dedicated team of volunteers who are former clients that want to give something back to the organization.
The organization supports disabled people, older people, and members of the Armed Forces community to access mainstream housing in all types, including; ownership, private renting, and public housing (known in Scotland as social housing). The main aims of the organization are to ensure that these groups are empowered to makes decision on their housing future, ensure their rights are protected and they are supported to access the type of housing that meets their aspirations and needs.
Working across the entire country, the organization is well recognized and networked with local and national government, statutory services, and the non-profit and private sectors.
The organization focuses their efforts with this three-pronged approach:
The host organization will work with you to tailor your internship focus to your individual skill sets and needs, as they match with the needs of the organization. Descriptions of sample focus areas are below:
Policy Work
Interns can support policy work at all levels including drafting responses and influencing policy internally and externally. The organization works with the Scottish Government as a key strategic partner and responds to various consultations for policy and legislation that affects disabled people, older people, and members of the Armed Forces community.
Organizational Development
Interns can support the organization’s goals through internal policy development, assisting the organization in project development, and conducting research.
Casework Support
Interns can support the organization at each step of the casework process. The casework service assists clients countrywide with their housing issues by providing advice and information on ownership, renting, and adaptation.
Volunteer Project
Interns can assist in the planning, development and delivery of the various programs within the volunteer project. Volunteers in the organization are a mixture of peer supporters, not for profit and housing professionals and researchers.
Fundraising, PR and External Communications
Interns can learn about and practice fundraising in Scotland. Interns will have the opportunity to engage in public relations and external communications projects.
Training Programs & Outreach
Interns can assist in the development and delivery of training for housing professionals, social workers, occupational therapists, not for profit organizations, local and national government, care groups and families related to housing issues.
Interns are expected to demonstrate:
Ideally, interns will have previous experience in non-profit work, social services, working with families and clients living with disability.
Students with disabilities are strongly encouraged to participate.
The host organization will pay for expenses directly related to internship work, for example: travel to and from the office and meetings, IT costs including a work mobile phone, and overnight accommodation and meals as may be required for work trips.
*Fee amounts are calculated with an exchange rate from British Pound at the time of posting.
Interns arrange their own housing, although the organization will provide support to do this. Depending on the needs of organization, placements will be in Edinburgh or Glasgow.
Fall: April 15
Winter: September 15
Spring: November 15
Summer:
-Academic focus on human development and family sciences, social services, non-profit management, youth and family development.