Advice Volunteer

We are looking for a Advice Volunteer, residents who may be able to help with the work we are doing around supporting people who need advice services, someone with a great personality, a can-do attitude and positive approach to work with our small team of Advisers helping people to improve their financial situation.

  • This is an exciting opportunity to gain experience in the advice sector.
  • You will be providing telephone support for residents who may need food bank vouchers, fuel advice, financial capability, and referrals into our team of Money Advisers.

Working under their supervision you will develop experience of the advice process – helping people to get the immediate support required and then referring them to get maximising their income by benefits take up or applying for grants to help with arrears of Water Bills, other debts such as credit cards or bank overdrafts, even rent and mortgage arrears. The Advice Volunteer will Connect them to Advisers who will assist people reach affordable, reasonable, and sustainable agreements with creditors and helping advisers guide their clients through insolvency options such as personal bankruptcy and Debt Relief Orders.

  • Be friendly and approachable.
  • Be non-judgemental, respect views, values and cultures that are different to your own.
  • Be empathetic towards others and be able to evidence this.
  • Have good listening skills.
  • Have good verbal and written communication skills.
  • Be willing to learn about and follow GL Communities Money Advice West aims, principles. and policies, including confidentiality and data protection.
  • Have good IT skills. Knowledge of Word, Outlook, Office 365.
  • Be willing to undertake development within in your role.
  • A sound understanding of basic arithmetic, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

The Advice Volunteer willing to train up and gain the skills and knowledge necessary to perform the duties on the telephone advice service. The confidence and willingness to meet with people who are sometimes in a distressed or confused state, being able to empathise with people and to help them understand their current situation or difficulties.

This may include people with mental health issues.

A good working knowledge of the English language, both written and verbal and be able to converse in English at all levels.  Be able to write in English, record and be able to provide simple instructions on budgeting and expenditure if needed. Be comfortable asking questions and importantly have an acute ability to listen to what is being said in answer to the questions raised.

The ability to assist a client create a basic budget sheet, is desired but not essential. Advising on tips for saving money such as using discount stores for grocery shopping, using coupons, and taking advantage of deals, using comparison web sites to look at the provision of gas and electricity.

Willingness to develop the training and development needed to enable you to continue in the advice pathway leading to the possibility of gaining a qualification in Advice Practice and Procedure, Welfare Rights, welfare benefits and Money Advice.

Be available to cover at least one shift per week from 9.30am until 12.30pm or 1.30pm to 3.30pm, Monday to Thursday and 9.30am to 12.30pm on Fridays.

You will make a real difference to people’s lives.

  • You will build on your existing valuable skills such as communication, listening and evaluation.
  • You will increase your employability prospects.
  • You will be working with a range of different people, independently and as a team member.
  • You will have a positive impact in your community.
  • We’ll reimburse expenses too.

For more information and to apply please contact: donnad@glcommunities.org.uk Alternatively, you can call: 01452 505544

Job Category: Charity
Job Type: Volunteering
Department: Advice
Job Location: Gloucester Matson
Pay Scale: No Salary
Status: Open

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