Information and Support Volunteer


Role Description

Position

Finchley Foodbank Information and Support Volunteer  

Location

Finchley Foodbank, St Mary’s Parish Centre, 279 High Road London N2 8HG 

Time

Volunteers will need to be available a minimum of twice a month at client sessions on either Tuesdays and/or Saturdays 11.30am-2pm 

Reports to

Foodbank Information and Support Lead / Foodbank Manager 

Role purpose

This role is designed to provide foodbank clients with appropriate information and signpost them to available support. The aim is to reduce clients’ dependency on the Foodbank.

Main duties and responsibilities

We ask that Information and Support Volunteers are able to: 

  • Register new clients at their first visit

  • Act as the first point of contact about available support for clients at foodbank sessions 

  • Talk to foodbank clients, listening carefully to their challenges, explain what support is available to them locally and nationally

  • Work alongside organisations providing support to our clients e.g. Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB)

  • Work with the Information and Support Team Leader to refer clients to appropriate support organisations e.g. energy and employment advice

  • Keep accurate records of support discussed with clients

Information resources and training will be provided.

As many of our clients have English as a second language, knowledge of one of the most common languages (in addition to English) used by our clients e.g. Arabic, Farsi, Polish, Ukrainian would be useful but NOT essential.

Information and Support Volunteers must:

● Have strong interpersonal skills and the understanding to work with a wide range of people including those in crisis in a tactful and diplomatic way, maintaining clear boundaries

● Adhere to foodbank policies including safeguarding, GDPR and health and safety 

● Sign our Volunteer Agreement 

Personal Attributes 

We ask that you are enthusiastic about the positive effect appropriate support can bring to someone’s life and be patient, practical, empathetic, passionate, non-judgmental - treat everyone you meet as an individual, well-organised, and respectful of everyone at the foodbank. 

Want to apply?

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