ALL TOGETHER!
We can all play our part in bringing the transformational change that is at the heart of Crosslight’s vision - to see individuals and families lifted out of poverty and given the opportunity to flourish. Will you be part of our vision?
We long for our communities to flourish and for no one to be left behind. And our vision for our volunteers is more than just a single role – we hope that you will be our ambassadors; that you will support us to raise the funds we need to make the change we seek; and that you will use your time, skills and passion to Restore Dignity and Renew Hope for those in need.
We are of our community and for our community – we are ‘All Together’.
What do you need to become a Crosslight volunteer?
Passion to get involved, roll up your sleeves, and make a difference
Compassion for those who are struggling, with the ability to put yourself in their shoes and demonstrate empathy through your words and actions
Patience to walk alongside someone in need for as long as it takes, walking at their pace, not yours
Resilience even when the road is bumpy and there are setbacks and frustrations
Integrity to uphold Crosslight’s values and ethos, treating everyone with generosity and respect
Our volunteer roles
If you are interested in volunteering with Crosslight, please check out the various opportunities below, then complete the enquiry form to start your journey.
Once we receive your form, we will put you in touch with one of our Branch Managers who will invite you for an interview and will answer any questions you may have about our work. We will then ask you to complete a short application form and will take up references. You will also need to make a volunteer commitment and attend an induction.
Other ways to support our work
Debt Adviser
About this role
Debt Advisers are the mainstay of our work. As they undertake a regulated activity, advisers have to meet certain minimum training standards and we will help you gain more knowledge as you become more experienced. You will work with clients to understand their situation so that you can advise them on the actions to take. But you will also support them pastorally and help them as they seek to deal with the underlying causes of their difficulties. Duties may include:
Undertaking an initial assessment of each client’s needs and situation
Helping produce a detailed, accurate Financial Statement
Advising clients how to maximise their income, including identifying additional benefits
Helping the client by explaining simple budgeting strategies
Advising clients with rent arrears how to safeguard their home
Advising on debt options, including helping clients implement an action plan
Assisting clients in speaking with third parties to implement an agreed strategy
Required training
Complete the equivalent of 4 days of training over several months
A commitment to ongoing training in order to gain more technical skills
Your commitment
We ask for a minimum commitment of two to three hours a fortnight, although we would be particularly interested if you are able to commit more than this. In some branches, we have limited opportunities for volunteers in the evening, but most of our roles are during the working day.
Our vision
Our vision for our volunteers is more than just a single role – we hope that you will be our ambassadors; that you will support us raise the funds we need to make to change we seek; and that you will use your time, skills and passion to Restore Dignity and Renew Hope for those in need.
Benefits Adviser
About this role
Welfare Benefits have a huge impact on our work. The work of a Benefits Adviser will be to help clients understand their entitlements, support them to make new benefit claims, and in certain circumstances, help clients to appeal benefits decisions that may have been made incorrectly. Initially you will support clients by undertaking benefit checks and helping with simple claim forms. As your experience and understanding grows, you will help with more complex applications such as for disability benefits, and progress to helping with applications for reconsideration or appeals.
Required training
Complete the equivalent of 4 days of training over several months
A commitment to ongoing training in order to gain more technical skills
Your commitment
We ask for a minimum commitment of two to three hours a fortnight, although we would be particularly interested if you are able to commit more than this. In some branches, we have limited opportunities for volunteers in the evening, but most of our roles are during the working day.
Our vision
Our vision for our volunteers is more than just a single role – we hope that you will be our ambassadors; that you will support us raise the funds we need to make to change we seek; and that you will use your time, skills and passion to Restore Dignity and Renew Hope for those in need.
Money Course Facilitator
About this role
Money Course Facilitators help to run our live Money Courses (online or face-to-face), as either a course leader or small group facilitator; in addition, some volunteers provide technical support for the online course, and others act as ‘hosts’ (welcoming guests) for face-to-face courses.
Required training
Attend a live Money Course as a guest
Complete Leaders' Hub e-learning course
Read Guest Handbook and other relevant resources
Internal induction & initial training for MC facilitators
Your commitment
We ask for a minimum commitment of supporting one course per quarter (evening or daytime). A course is usually three 2-hour sessions a week apart. Attendance at quarterly facilitator forums is also required.
Our vision
Our vision for our volunteers is more than just a single role – we hope that you will be our ambassadors; that you will support us raise the funds we need to make to change we seek; and that you will use your time, skills and passion to Restore Dignity and Renew Hope for those in need.
Budget Coach
About this role
Budget Coaches work with individual clients – often those who have completed a Money Course – to help them apply simple money skills and budgeting techniques in a practical way to their own unique situation. During a structured programme of four to six sessions with an individual client over several months, you will work closely with clients to guide, support and encourage them as they journey to greater financial confidence and resilience.
Required training
Attend a live Money Course as a guest / undertake self-led version of Money Course
Read Guest Handbook and work through online Budget Coaching Hub
Undertake foundation modules of MAPS ‘Money Guiders’ e-learning course
‘Shadowing & supervision’ period to observe an experienced budget coach and start coaching yourself
Internal induction & initial training sessions for Budget Coaches, including training on our case management system
Your commitment
Time commitment is approximately 8 hrs over a 2 month period (four sessions of 2 hours each) per client taken on. The days and times can vary depending on your and your client’s availability. You may take on more than one client at a time depending on your availability. Attendance at quarterly Budget Coaching forums is also required, plus any other optional training as offered (e.g. Coaching Skills course).
Our vision
Our vision for our volunteers is more than just a single role – we hope that you will be our ambassadors; that you will support us raise the funds we need to make to change we seek; and that you will use your time, skills and passion to Restore Dignity and Renew Hope for those in need.
Casework Admin
About this role
Our advisers spend a lot of time meeting and supporting clients, but behind the scenes there is often a lot of work that needs to be done too. This is essential in order to help a client resolve their current difficulties, and by working with one of our case managers to support them with some of their casework admin, you’ll be helping us bring hope back to an individual or family in need. Some of the things you might get involved with could include:
Speaking to creditors to find out balances or the current position with a debt
Entering client information into databases or court forms
Writing letters to creditors using our templates
Using a client’s bank statements to help check or construct a financial statement
Your commitment
This role requires daytime availability and ideally we are looking for some who can spare at least spare a morning or afternoon a week.
Our vision
Our vision for our volunteers is more than just a single role – we hope that you will be our ambassadors; that you will support us raise the funds we need to make to change we seek; and that you will use your time, skills and passion to Restore Dignity and Renew Hope for those in need.
Advice Services and office support
About this role
This is a crucial role to support our Advice Services team. They are the gatekeepers of our work, being the first point of contact for our clients. You may be the first person many of our clients will have spoken to about their issues and being able to put them at ease in a professional, yet warm and friendly manner is incredibly important. You will get to make the first impression of Crosslight and help build trust and engagement from the very start.
The role is varied but could involve:
Handling new client enquiries - understanding their situations, assessing their needs, and booking appointments
Providing information to new clients
Speaking with referrers
Chasing up missed or rescheduled appointments
Acting as an advocate for the work we do
Your commitment
A morning or afternoon a week or more. This role can be done remotely.
Our vision
Our vision for our volunteers is more than just a single role – we hope that you will be our ambassadors; that you will support us raise the funds we need to make to change we seek; and that you will use your time, skills and passion to Restore Dignity and Renew Hope for those in need.
Fundraising Support
About this role
There are many fundraising roles you can support with, the opportunities are wide and varied.
Helping us organise events
Writing and posting social media articles
Talking to local groups and businesses
Helping us engage with new and potential volunteers
Speaking with donors
Researching new funding opportunities
Working with the support of our fundraising manager, it is a great way to meet new people and use your skills, talents and enthusiasm to help us support the most vulnerable people in our communities. Please contact us - we would love to talk to you about what you are interested in and how you can contribute.
Your commitment
We will fit around your availability, and roles can vary from a few hours each week to a morning or more a month.
Our vision
Our vision for our volunteers is more than just a single role – we hope that you will be our ambassadors; that you will support us raise the funds we need to make to change we seek; and that you will use your time, skills and passion to Restore Dignity and Renew Hope for those in need.