Volunteer Debt / Benefits Adviser

Description

We provide face to face, impartial, unconditional help and advice in three key areas, helping clients get out of debt, helping clients to budget and helping client's claim benefits. We are looking for additional volunteers to join our team particularly in the areas of claiming benefits and debt advice. All volunteers will need to hold an enhanced DBS check for working with vulnerable adults (which CMA Launceston will apply for) and full training and support will be provided.

Client support typically takes place of several weeks and in the past 12 months, we have seen more than 60 new clients seek our help. Debt advice is regulated by the Financial Conduct authority so additional policies and procedures need to be adhered to. We operate out of our own offices 1 mile south of Launceston and are also able to offer appointments at alternative locations if transport is an issue.

The impact you'll have

Struggling to manage your personal finances is a major contributory factor to poor mental health and low self esteem. We aim to walk alongside our clients helping them take small steps into a place where they have the confidence to better understand where their money goes. We also offer support if we believe they are entitled to benefits and help them navigate the Internet and online application forms, which have become the norm in recent years.

The skills you'll need

You will need to have the following skills in order to participate:

Good listener, people person, team player, trustworthy, reasonable IT skills (able to compose professional emails, use Office 365 applications and use our client case management tool set to collate client date and casework related progress). Client facing work experience is desirable and for benefits, experience with a local authority or DWP would be useful