Debt and Benefits Adviser

Debt and Benefits Adviser

Ongoing role
J96974
At a glance

Skills

  • Financial management
  • Strategic mentoring / coaching
  • Mentoring / Coaching
  • Teaching / Education

Where

Reading, RG14BW
Mainly at the office

Time

Mostly during office hours Estimate of time needed:
3-7 hours / week
At present we have vacancies in our Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday teams.

We're seeking volunteers for our Reading office to assist clients who are struggling with debts. This interesting role includes assessing the client's financial position and dealing with creditors. Make a real difference!   

What will you be doing?

You will be joining our Reading branch, the largest of 15 branches in the Frontline network.  Frontline has been helping clients struggling with debt for over 30 years.

You will receive full training and the support of a mentor.  You will be volunteering one day a week of your time working from our office.  The role includes:

  • assisting clients who are often distressed so you’ll need to have empathy and patience.
  • assessing the client’s financial position so you’ll need some basic finance skills.
  • using our bespoke Debt Management System.
  • negotiating repayment plans with creditors by telephone, email and post
  • in some cases, helping clients go through a Debt Relief Order or Bankruptcy process

Enjoy the satisfaction of helping clients overcome debt. If you love helping people and want to make a real difference, this opportunity is for you!

What are we looking for?

We are looking for volunteers who can offer:

  • Basic finance and budgeting skills - needed to assess clients' finances and determine affordable payments to creditors.
  • Coaching skills - help clients maximize their income
  • Negotiating skills - to establish affordable repayment plans
  • An empathetic, non-judgmental approach- debt heavily impacts clients and their families.  Your support can make a real difference in their lives
  • Attention to detail – we are regulated and overseen by the Financial Conduct Authority
  • Experience of working with Microsoft Office – we use Excel, Outlook and Word and these programs are embedded in our Debt Management System.

What difference will you make?

3 recent testimonials from clients of the wider Frontline organisation:

“I just wanted to say a very big thank you for your advice yesterday. It was as if a big mountain of pressure had been lifted from my Mum’s shoulder.She is in the habit, like so many I expect, of generating misconceptions about debt management and that these assumed ‘worst case scenarios’ will happen to her!She was very relieved after listening to your advice. So thank you very much indeed, it is truly appreciated.”

“Thank you so much for everything you have done for us, I can’t begin to tell you how much this has helped with removing the worry etc.You truly are an amazing person, thank you.”

“I owe you my life”.

Causes
  • Counselling / advice
  • Organisation type: 
    Charity

    Reading Frontline provides face to face debt and benefit advice to those distressed by the burden of debt in the Reading area.   We are a charity, our advice is free and we are regulated by the...