About Toynbee Hall
Based in the East End of London since 1884, Toynbee Hall is a charity working alongside people facing poverty, injustice, and inequality to build a fairer East London. We provide vital advice and support, working in partnership to tackle unfairness and ensure everyone has an equal chance to thrive.
We have recently launched a new strategic plan which reinforces that our purpose is to build a fairer future with an end to poverty, injustice and inequality.
We work towards this by:
• Addressing poverty and injustice through advice and support and influencing systemic change.
• Shifting power to people and communities affected by injustice and inequality.
• Collaborating to end poverty and build fairer systems and institutions. What we want to see in the world starts with our community and our organisation.
This means:
• Working together to build a thriving local community where people have the resources they need, feel their voices are heard and are optimistic about the future.
• Being a good employer, where people are treated fairly, feel engaged and empowered, and work together to achieve our shared vision.
• Acknowledging the role Toynbee Hall has historically played in civic society while recognising that our role now is to shift power, to be an effective partner, and to amplify voices that are less likely to be heard.
What we learn from our work in east London we use to inform and influence wider policy – working to influence change in structures, systems and policies.
Department background
The Debt Advice Team at Toynbee Hall provides crucial support to individuals and families struggling with financial burdens. Funded by the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS), this team delivers expert guidance and practical solutions to help clients manage and reduce their debt.
Scope of Role
The Traineeship will last for 12 months. This role involves gaining practical experience by observing and participating in interviews to understand clients’ financial problems, researching options, and helping clients make informed decisions. The role includes structured classroom-based learning, supervised practice, and mandatory secondments across partner advice agencies in London.
Key Responsibilities
1. Accurate, Effective, and Individually Tailored Advice
Work under supervision to observe and learn how to provide effective debt advice, including interviewing clients, researching options, and empowering clients to make informed decisions.
2. Detailed Case Records
Assist in maintaining detailed case records, ensuring all work meets auditing and quality standards, and meets funder requirements.
3. Training and Development
Complete a structured training programme within the six-month period, covering technical debt advice, client management, and financial regulations. During the initial training period, trainees will be expected to attend intensive classroom-based training and supervised learning activities four to five days per week. Additional training will be based on shadowing, on-site learning, tests, external training courses, etc.
4. Teamwork
Be an active member of the team, identifying opportunities for your development and contributing to collective goals.
5. Travel
Travel across London is required, including attendance at partner organisations, advice sites, and mandatory secondment placements across London boroughs.
Following the initial training period, the role will require a minimum of four days per week working from Toynbee Hall or partner office locations. One additional working day from home may be agreed where there is a suitable home-working environment and this aligns with operational requirements.
6. Other
Undertake additional tasks as delegated by Management.
Person Specification
1. Experience and Skills
- Willingness to work towards obtaining an accredited qualification in debt advice.
- Basic IT and telephone skills, and ability to use an online-based Client Management System (CMS) to deliver advice across multiple channels and maintain case records.
- Ability to give and receive feedback objectively and sensitively.
- Ability to work as part of a team and be open to receiving feedback and learning from others.
- Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with all staff members.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Competence in handling sensitive information with discretion and maintaining confidentiality.
- Ability to handle and support vulnerable clients with empathy and sensitivity, ensuring their needs are appropriately addressed.
2. Personal Attributes
- High level of professionalism and integrity.
- Ability to work independently and proactively without supervision.
- Capacity to remain calm and effective under pressure, adopting a “find a solution, no blame” attitude.
- Open-minded, inclusive, and collaborative approach, seeking fresh and alternative perspectives.
- Commitment to empowering others by sharing knowledge and enabling action.
- Strong alignment with Toynbee Hall’s mission, strategy, and values.
- Willingness to participate in training and develop further understanding in areas such as safeguarding.
- Willingness to work from our advice locations to shadow experienced advisors in both face-to-face and call centre settings.
Desirable Criteria
- Previous experience of giving advice (not necessarily debt advice).
- Ability to speak more than one language.
Our Benefits
Annual Leave
- 25 days of annual leave, plus 3 additional days for our Christmas shutdown (on top of bank holidays)
- After 2 years: +3 extra days of leave.
- After 3 years: +1 additional day.
- After 5 years: A total of 30 days annual leave, plus the 3-day Christmas shutdown.
Pension
- Standard Life Pension Scheme – Employer contribution: 4%, Employee contribution: 5%
Additional Perks & Support
- Enhanced Sick Pay for peace of mind during illness
- Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave to support growing families
- Employee Eyecare Vouchers to support your vision health
- Employee Assistance Programme for free, confidential advice and support
- Mental Health First Aid to ensure workplace well-being
- Tenancy Deposit Scheme to help secure your home
- Interest-Free Season Ticket Loan for cost-effective commuting
- Cycle to Work Scheme to promote a healthier, greener way to travel
- Charity Mentoring Network to support professional development and networking
- Westfield Health Cash Plan to cover your healthcare needs specified in the Policy
- Perk Box
- Life Insurance
Registered Charity
51 - 100
Since 1884 Toynbee Hall is a charity working alongside people facing poverty, injustice and inequality to build a fairer East London
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Why work for Fulwood Free Methodist Church?
- Senior leadership role at the heart of a growing, multi-generational evangelical church
- Relocation allowance (reasonable costs covered)
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- 8% employer pension contribution (NEST)
- Two leadership conferences annually, fully expensed
- Death in Service Cover and Employee Support Service
- A warm, faith-centred team environment with a strong co-leadership culture
Fulwood Free Methodist Church exists to be a loving and welcoming community of people who follow Jesus and aim to make Him known. Established 48 years ago, the church has grown to around 400 people across three Sunday services, with youth and children’s work, a network of 20 homegroups, and community ministries including Toddlers, Lunch Break café, Inspiration Crafts, Alpha and a CAP Centre.
The local authority has approved 5,000 new homes within 10 minutes of the church, plus a new high school nearby. Fulwood sees this as a God-given opportunity to take the Gospel into the growing community.
Working in partnership with the Co-Lead Pastor for Teaching & Leadership Development, the new Co-Lead Pastor will provide spiritual leadership, lead and inspire the staff team, and drive community outreach, pastoral care and young adults ministry. This is a genuine co-leadership model built on collaboration, shared decision-making and mutual support.
In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to:
- Share spiritual and strategic leadership with the Co-Lead Pastor and Trustees
- Lead and develop the staff team, fostering a collaborative and growing culture
- Inspire and lead evangelism and outreach to a fast-growing local community
- Oversee pastoral care, building and supporting a team of lay pastoral carers
- Develop young adult ministry, homegroups, and help shape plans for future church planting
This role is ideal for an ordained pastor (or someone eligible for ordination) with proven experience in pastoral leadership, a passion for evangelism, and a heart for shared, collaborative ministry. While Fulwood Free Methodist Church is rooted in Wesleyan Arminian theology, applicants do not need to come from a Methodist background, provided they are fully aligned with this theological position.
This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check.
For further details please have a look at the candidate pack.
For an informal chat to ask any questions, please contact Nick Thomas, Senior Consultant, Charisma Charity Recruitment. Please apply through the Charisma Charity Recruitment website with your CV and supporting statement.
Applications are being reviewed on receipt and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. When a suitable candidate is found the role will close, so please apply without delay to avoid disappointment.
We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion*, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law.
*In accordance with the Equality Act 2010, Part 1, Schedule 9, it is a genuine occupational requirement that the post holder is a practicing Christian.
