Rochdale Foodbank and Pantry are pleased to announce that we are setting up a new FCA approved Debt Advice Service which will serve both Rochdale Foodbank and Rochdale Central Pantry clients and will be known as 'Rochdale CMA Connect Centre' .
The role of the Money Mentors will include being available at each of our Foodbank sessions to engage with our clients and help them overcome their debt problems, bringing them freedom from debt and giving hope for the future.
Key information
- Start Date: 23rd July 2025
- End Date: 30th August 2025
- Volunteer: Weekly
- Availability: Monday AM, Tuesday AM, Wednesday AM, Thursday AM, Friday AM, Saturday AM
- Tasks: The role will include:
Being willing to undertake initial and ongoing training which includes: 2 full days online training followed by an exam; role play sessions with fellow volunteers; various e-learning modules (see training section below for more details)
Be willing to attend one foodbank session each week, Monday through to Saturday between 10.30 -12.30.
Be willing to be the Mentor for at least one client at a time which will involve sitting with the client and 'unpacking' their situation using a 'fact-finder' tool in order to obtain all information necessary to be able to input the client's situation into the web-based debt advice programme. The Money Mentor will require good to excellent IT skills to perform this role.
Arranging ongoing meetings as needed to support the client in taking actions chosen by the client as recommended by the remote Debt Advisor. This could include helping clients to:
Set up repayments to creditors; Fill in bankruptcy forms; Make Debt Relief Oder (DRO) referrals and Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVA's). Money Mentors need to be non-judgemental and compassionate whatever the clients domestic or financial circumstances are. - Training: CMA (Community Money Advice) bespoke training enables volunteers to feel confident to teach clients budgeting skills and help them access debt advice.
There will be a training day to include:
Causes and effect of debt; what does and does not constitute debt advice; budgeting; priority and non-priority debt; compiling and inputting financial data; debt resolution options.
Followed by an on-line assessment which needs to be passed in order to become a Money Mentor.
Also, some in-house training to include:
Listening Skills; Using Catalyst (bespoke software); Budget coaching.
There will also be ongoing, web-based training available. - Requirements: Willing to travel by public transport or find own way to volunteering location
- Interests: Community, Crisis Support, Customer Services, Financial Services, Foodbanks, Poverty, Social Welfare
- Activities: Administration, Befriending, Customer Services, Financial control, Food banks, Providing advice
- DBS Check: Yes
Being willing to undertake initial and ongoing training which includes: 2 full days online training followed by an exam; role play sessions with fellow volunteers; various e-learning modules (see training section below for more details)
Be willing to attend one foodbank session each week, Monday through to Saturday between 10.30 -12.30.
Be willing to be the Mentor for at least one client at a time which will involve sitting with the client and 'unpacking' their situation using a 'fact-finder' tool in order to obtain all information necessary to be able to input the client's situation into the web-based debt advice programme. The Money Mentor will require good to excellent IT skills to perform this role.
Arranging ongoing meetings as needed to support the client in taking actions chosen by the client as recommended by the remote Debt Advisor. This could include helping clients to:
Set up repayments to creditors; Fill in bankruptcy forms; Make Debt Relief Oder (DRO) referrals and Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVA's). Money Mentors need to be non-judgemental and compassionate whatever the clients domestic or financial circumstances are.
There will be a training day to include:
Causes and effect of debt; what does and does not constitute debt advice; budgeting; priority and non-priority debt; compiling and inputting financial data; debt resolution options.
Followed by an on-line assessment which needs to be passed in order to become a Money Mentor.
Also, some in-house training to include:
Listening Skills; Using Catalyst (bespoke software); Budget coaching.
There will also be ongoing, web-based training available.