About the role:
Reception Support is an important role at the forefront of the service, which assists clients to meet needs and access what they are entitled to. The role covers varied tasks and areas, such as:
- Greeting clients
- Taking phone calls
- Signposting
- Administrative tasks
- Supporting clients to navigate processes, such as filling forms and making phone calls
- Problem solving
- Working responsively as part of a team
Time Commitment:
This role takes place on one day per week during our reception hours, which are currently 11am - 3pm. We currently need volunteers at the following times:
Mondays: 1.30pm - 3.30pm
Wednesdays: 11am - 1pm
Thursdays: 1.30pm - 3.30pm
Qualities and skills required for the role:
- An empathic approach, showing an ability to listen and ask personal questions sensitively.
- An understanding of and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
- A commitment to keeping confidentiality and maintaining data protection.
- Fluent spoken English, good literacy and basic numeracy skills.
- Reliability and good time keeping skills.
- Good record keeping skills.
- Good problem solving abilities.
- Reasonable IT skills, including the ability to adapt to new platforms, internet use and word processing.
- Lived experience of debt, welfare benefits or the immigration system is an asset, but not essential.
We offer –
- Thorough induction and role specific training, plus extra training opportunities as they arise.
- Regular supervision to discuss progress and ongoing development.
- A supportive team environment.
- Reimbursement of reasonable expenses.
- An opportunity to learn about and gain valuable experience of the advice sector.
- An opportunity to work with people from all walks of life.
- A reference, where required.
About St Pauls Advice Centre
Started voluntarily by local people, St Pauls Advice Centre has been serving the local community for over 50 years, providing a wealth of experience in delivering advice on debt, welfare benefits and immigration. For many local people, the centre is a go-to for navigating their issues. Volunteers remain greatly important to the advice centre, and for some, their work develops into paid employment.
Since March 2025 St Pauls Advice Centre has been based in a new venue above Junction 3 Library