RSHS Welfare Officer
About Averil
Averil Douglas, a retired occupational therapist brings to her work a wealth of knowledge and experience amassed over many years of working with individuals experiencing both physical and mental health challenges. Averil endeavours to support her clients to live fulfilling and active lives. With a genuine interest in the people she works with, Averil also offers guidance and assistance when they encounter hurdles such as housing or benefits related issues.
About Averil’s Role
The Welfare Officer will arrange to visit the applicant and chat through their application, gaining as much information about the individual’s situation as possible. The Welfare Officer always checks an applicant’s benefits, to ensure people have claimed any appropriate benefit. The Welfare Officer does not give advice but may signpost to other services.
For one-off grants, the Welfare Officer liaises with the chair person for decision.
For annuities, the Welfare Officer presents the case (together with information from the Society’s Doctor) at the next Welfare Committee meeting.
Once decisions are made, applicants are notified of the outcome.
One-off grants are followed up after a few weeks to check how the grant was used and helped the applicant.
Annuities are reviewed usually every three years, which involves another visit from the Welfare Officer.
The Welfare Officer is available at any point between these reviews if an annuitant has any questions or difficulties they wish to discuss.