Have you had a background in the finance industry and now retired? Or perhaps you have good listening and communications skills? Do you have four hours one day a week when you could put these skills to valuable use? Southcare is looking for volunteers to become emergency relief interviewers. The  Emergency Relief  and Referral Service Programme provides assistance to people living in the City of South Perth and surrounding areas,  who find themselves in financial crisis.

 

The Emergency Relief interviewer may offer:

• Direct assistance for immediate relief. This can be in the form or financial help with bills for essential services, food vouchers to spend in Southcare’s Mankara Low Cost Food store or clothing and blankets from the Opportunity Shop.

• Information and a referral to organisations and Government departments that may help with solutions to the underlying problem contributing to the need for emergency relief.

• Recommendation to meet with the Southcare Financial Counsellor for moral support, advocacy and budgeting help.

 

Our emergency relief and referral programme offers volunteers an opportunity to use communication and listening skills developed during their working life. While those with a background in financial counselling or the finance industry usually apply, we have also had very successful volunteers who have experience in interviewing and are able to empathise with the members of the community who have to ask for help. People who are non-judgmental, patient and good at problem solving make excellent members of the emergency relief team.

 

With utility costs rising and increases in fuel, many local residents who have coped in the past, now find themselves needing help. We like to make their visit to Southcare as stress-free as possible but without regular interviewers, find that we need to limit the number of people we can assist. Please contact reception and make an appointment to learn more about this challenging voluntary position.

 

The Southcare Financial Counselling service provides free and confidential financial counselling and advocacy services to all residents in  the City of South Perth and surrounding areas, who may be  experiencing financial hardship. Our aim is to help people manage a short-term crisis and assist with planning to prevent a future one.

 

The service provides information, options and support for individuals and families.

Contact Southcare on: Phone 94506233 or enquiries@southcare.org.au