Triage Volunteer (various locations)

Why we want you

Financial inclusion support and advice can make a huge difference to people coming to a food bank enabling them to maximise their income and ensure their debts are under control so that they no longer need to come to a food bank.

Triage is about digging deeper through initial conversations which will help people take the first steps to get the support they need. As a triage volunteer, you will be exploring people's circumstances and identifying priorities which will then be addressed by advisers.

What you will be doing

• Actively listening to people coming to the foodbank about their circumstances
• Holding initial exploratory conversations to identify the nature of advice needs (e.g. debt, benefits, etc) and advice priorities (e.g., deadlines or court hearings)
• Establishing what people's advice history is and correspondence with key stakeholders, e.g. DWP, creditors, etc
• Referring people onto further advice when needed
• Helping people to prepare for the advice sessions e.g. through setting expectations and preparing paperwork
• Signposting to other organisations when appropriate
• Using IT to capture information when needed

The skills you will need

• Ability to get on well, and show empathy, with people from all backgrounds
• Adaptability and flexibility in handling different priorities
• Awareness and ability to uphold professional and personal boundaries
• A team player
• Good interpersonal skills particularly in active listening and sensitivity in difficult situations
• Passion for fighting poverty and exclusion to help achieve a better society
• Understand the need for confidentiality and a non judgemental approach
• Willingness to learn new skills and meet new people
• ability to find information easily and communicate it effectively
• Ability to identify people's priorities

Desirable

• IT skills

Foodbank locations & Days: