Service Point Volunteer

Service point volunteers are the public face of the credit union and help our members achieve greater financial health and well-being. Shepton was our busiest service point before lock-down, but we currently don't have enough volunteers to provide a regular service there.

Key tasks include helping members with joining, working out their budget and applying for loans plus accepting and banking cash payments (loan applications are subsequently assessed by our loan officers).

Members visiting our service points are sometimes in financial distress and the ability to empathise while getting to the root of the problem is vital (note - we do not provide debt counseling but signpost members to organisations that can help them).

Prior knowledge and experience are not required, but a methodical approach, basic IT skills and an interest in helping people are essential. Full training is provided and volunteer expenses are paid.

Some of our volunteers have found that this role has helped them develop both skills and confidence to get back into the workplace and all of them have reported enormous satisfaction in helping people in their community get on top of their finances. One reports "one of my happiest volunteering moments was when a member (who had initially joined in tears because she had a payday loan that had multiplied several times) came in to apply for holiday loan - something nice at last!".

Phone our helpline and one of our volunteers will be in touch to discuss the role in more detail.