Volunteer Receptionist and Information Assistant

Volunteer Receptionist and Information Assistant

Posted for Citizens Advice Brighton and Hove

Posted by Community Works

Register your interest

You will be redirected to the Community Works website to express your interest.

Purpose of Role:

• Provide a high-quality reception service to Citizens Advice Brighton and Hove clients who visit our office at Hove Town Hall on Tisbury Road.
• Assist visitors to Money Advice Plus and Wave Community Bank.
• In time, progress to the Information Assistant role and provide information to the general public. 

Main Duties and Responsibilities include:

• Welcome clients to Citizens Advice Brighton and Hove and find out the purpose of their visit.
• Help direct clients with a pre-booked appointment.
• Provide basic administrative support to Volunteer Advisers.
• Use IT systems and online resources to accurately record client information during client contact.
• Use listening and questioning skills in order to help clients.

Following training as an Information Assistant:

• Use the Citizens Advice database to search for information.
• Communicate information to clients verbally, via email or print.
• Support clients by showing them how and where to search for information.

Benefits

• Make a real difference to people’s lives by making sure that clients receive the right support for them.
• Learn about a range of issues such as benefits, debt, employment and housing.
• Build on valuable skills such as communication, listening and questioning.
• Increase your employability.
• Work with a range of different people, independently and in a team.
• Have a positive impact in your community.
• And we’ll reimburse expenses too.
• The chance to build skills and experience in a customer service environment in support of a charity.
• Training and shadowing opportunities

Practical Considerations

• Our offices are accessible and in a central Hove location on bus routes.
• Volunteer Receptionist and Information Assistants will be based at our office in Hove. Training will be a mixture of in-office and remote delivery.
• Training will consist of three half-day sessions focused on reception duties. After two or so months in the role, training will begin for the Information Assistant pathway.
• We would ideally like Volunteer Receptionist and Information Assistants to volunteer for two sessions a week (each lasting approximately 4 hours).
• However, we are always open to discussing individual circumstances and needs. 

Hove Town Hall is well served by multiple bus routes. There is no on site parking but there is a public car park on Norton Road, which is a 5 minute walk from the office.

What skills do I need?

• The ability to use listening and questioning skills in a sensitive manner in order to help clients.
• Open mindedness and an ability to show respect for views, values and cultures that are different to our own.
• Enthusiasm about helping people.
• An understanding of why confidentiality is important.
• The ability to recognise and maintain appropriate boundaries when helping clients.
• A clear communicator both in speaking and in writing.
• Good levels of literacy and numeracy.
• Confidence in the use of computers, the internet and software, including databases.
• The ability to input data accurately. 
• A well-organised and systematic approach to work.
• A positive attitude to self-development and assessment.
• The ability to work as part of a team and be flexible and adaptable.
• Supportive of the principles and values of Citizens Advice.
• Willingness to attend training and other meetings.