Debt Advice Volunteer
Crosslight Advice
Volunteer debt advisers work with clients who are struggling with problem debt to understand their situation and advise on options open to them. This may include helping to produce a Financial Statement, exploring ways to maximise their income, advising clients with rent arrears how to safeguard their home, and assisting clients in speaking with third parties to implement an agreed strategy.
Debt Advisers are the mainstay of our work at Crosslight, helping in a practical way to lift individuals and families out of poverty and giving them the opportunity to flourish. As they undertake a regulated activity, Crosslight debt advisers have to meet certain minimum training standards and we will help you gain more knowledge as you become more experienced. You will work with clients to understand their situation so that you can advise them on the actions to take. But you will also support them pastorally and help them as they seek to deal with the underlying causes of their difficulties. Duties may include: - Undertaking an initial assessment of each client’s needs and situation - Helping produce a detailed, accurate Financial Statement - Advising clients how to maximise their income, including identifying additional benefits - Helping the client by explaining simple budgeting strategies - Advising clients with rent arrears how to safeguard their home - Advising on debt options, including helping clients implement an action plan - Assisting clients in speaking with third parties to implement an agreed strategy
Advice, Information & Support,Finance & Accountancy,Support Work
Listening, Bookkeeping & Finance, Basic IT skills - internet & email, Talking To Others
Debt Advice volunteers will be provided with full training, so previous experience in this area is desirable rather than essential. Volunteers' finances should be stable, although lived experience of financial difficulty is in no way a barrier to this role; indeed it can be very helpful in understanding and empathising with the positions of our clients. Volunteers should be good listeners, empathetic, and patient, as well as numerate and able to use IT competently, including learning new systems (the role will require the use of our online case management system as well as Office 365 for emails, video calls etc) Crosslight's values, which our volunteers should share, are: PASSION to get involved, roll up your sleeves, and make a difference COMPASSION for those who are struggling, with the ability to put yourself in their shoes and demonstrate empathy through your words and actions PATIENCE to walk alongside someone in need for as long as it takes, walking at their pace, not yours RESILIENCE even when the road is bumpy and there are setbacks and frustrations INTEGRITY to uphold Crosslight’s values and ethos, treating everyone with generosity and respect
Volunteers with Crosslight benefit from being part of a passionate, dynamic charity whose aim is to renew hope and restore dignity for those it supports. Volunteers receive comprehensive induction training, as well as role-specific and soft-skill training through our Crosslight Learning Academy. Debt advice volunteers are also 'sponsored' through Community Money Advice's regulated debt advice training, providing them with a recognised qualification which they will use during their work with Crosslight. All volunteers benefit from ongoing support throughout their time with the organisation, from their Branch Manager and Crosslight's Head of People as well as local colleagues. Crosslight volunteers often tell us how fulfilling they find their roles, which enable them to support fellow members of their community in a practical and impactful way.
We ask for a minimum commitment of two to three hours a fortnight, although we would be particularly interested if you are able to commit more than this. In some branches, we have limited opportunities for volunteers in the evening, but most of our roles are during the working day. The debt advice role also entails the equivalent of 4 days of training over several months, as well as a commitment to ongoing training in order to gain more technical skills, as well as participation in termly team training events.
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Crosslight Tonbridge North: Tonbridge Baptist Church Darenth Ave Tonbridge TN10 3HZ Crosslight Sevenoaks: Vine Evangelical Church Hitchen Hatch Lane Sevenoaks TN13 3AT Crosslight Tunbridge Wells: United Emmanuel Church 1 Mount Ephraim Tunbridge Wells TN4 8AE
https://www.crosslightadvice.org/branches
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