Advice and Information Worker

Overall role purpose: 

This role is a new and forward-thinking post made possible by the securing of funding as part of our financial inclusion work following a pilot scheme and is part of our front-line response to the cost-of-living crisis in Rugby. Based at the Hope Centre and Rugby Foodbank premises the successful candidate will work alongside foodbank clients. You will assist and guide them beyond their immediate need for food to ensure that they are able to maximise their income or address other areas of concern leading them to need to access the foodbank, such as debt or cost of living issues. The successful candidate will walk the journey with them and will also work alongside financial specialists who will be contracted to provide regulated advice. The role is a two years contract and subject to funding could be for longer. The post holder will develop links with other local organisations to ensure that those referred receive timely and targeted support. In short you will be making a real difference to people’s everyday lives.

Overview of the Charity

Hope4 (Rugby) Ltd was founded in 2008 and seeks to address homelessness and food poverty in the Borough of Rugby. The Hope Centre and Rugby Foodbank are key to enabling this. We believe that everyone should have a place to call home and enough food and support when in a crisis. We also believe that everyone should have the chance to realise their hopes and ambitions. Our clients are at the heart of what we do and although Rugby is a small market town, our foodbank gave out over 6500 food parcels in the last financial year. The Hope Centre supports around 50 people at any one time providing vital and varied support to those who find themselves homeless or in danger of becoming so, or in temporary accommodation. All our people are crucial to making this happen.  

The charity was founded on Christian principle by the local churches and staff and volunteers support these values and ethos irrespective of belief or background. 

Hope4’s core values are compassion, respect, integrity, faith and community. 

Main Job Activities:  

Client focused: 

• Overarching aim is to provide practical and tailored support to clients in an approachable, caring and person-centred way 
• Attend the Foodbank Distribution sessions, working alongside Team Leaders to engage with foodbank clients to understand their initial needs and make referrals for specialist financial advice as required  
• Enable foodbank clients to assess and own their needs and situation 
• Provide follow-up support where required for clients to access low level support such as budget planning, web-based research for signposting 
• Using signposting approaches to connect clients with their local community support groups and local Churches  
• Provide support, assistance and follow up for clients to action any advice given by financial experts – such as the completion and submitting of application forms 
• Maintain accurate and up to date client engagement records 
• Develop professional relationships with financial experts/partner agencies as needed in support of providing a tailored service to clients 
• Develop links with other local agencies and organisations that may support clients further and develop signposting materials for clients 

General: 

• Work in compliance with the Foodbank Handbook and policies and procedures of Hope4 
• Support volunteers to promote the project to those who access the foodbank 
• Monitor and report on outcomes and outputs as agreed by the funding application 
• Work with clients from a diverse range of backgrounds, adapting approaches to meet their needs 
• Ensure that all data and recording responsibilities are carried out in a timely manner and to a high standard and within GDPR principles 
• Build positive relationships with various stakeholders including staff, directors and volunteers of Hope4/Rugby Foodbank 
• Represent Foodbank at external partnership meetings relevant to the project 
• Undertake any other reasonable requests by management, consistent with the nature of the service 
• Ensure that all work is delivered in line with contractual obligations and in accordance with best practice of Hope4 
• Undertake identified training within specified timelines and maintain current operational knowledge where required, such as safeguarding 
• To be an active and effective team member including those at the Hope Centre and Rugby Foodbank including attending internal staff/volunteer meetings as required 
• To work some hours, where needed, outside of normal office hours (including evenings and weekends) 
• Participate in supervision and annual appraisal, and identify your own job-related development and training needs 

Closing Date: 3rd February

Interview Date: 13th OR 14th February  

Still not sure?

Why not find out more about Hope4 and Rugby foodbank on our websites, by visiting in person or by meeting the team online by appointment contacting the Centre Manager.

Pease note that internally this role is known as Support Worker Rugby foodbank - Financial Inclusion