Trainee Advice Worker Volunteer
Island Advice Centre
Looking for a career in the advice sector? Then this Trainee Advice Volunteer role is perfect to help you on that path. Volunteers must be available for 2 days a week for 12 months. One day is spent volunteering and one day is spent training. The training you receive will give you a formal advice qualification (Learning to Advise). The training covers: advice skills (communication skills. policies and principles of advice work), welfare benefits, housing, immigration, employment and debt.
Island Advice Centre is offering an exciting opportunity for anyone who wants to train to become an advice worker. Training starts in April 2026. This role requires a long-term commitment. Volunteers must be available for 2 days per week for 12 months. One day is spent volunteering and one day is spent training. The training you receive will give you a formal advice qualification (Learning to Advise). The training covers: advice skills (communication skills. policies and principles of advice work), welfare benefits, housing, immigration, employment, and debt. You will also have the opportunity to undertake an NVQ Advice & Guidance Level 3 if you wish to. As a volunteer, you will carry out your voluntary work placement in an advice agency in Tower Hamlets for 1 weekday a week (in addition to your 1 day training per week). The days, times and venues for this vary, but you will volunteer in one of 6 participating advice agencies in Tower Hamlets. Please note that this is a voluntary placement/training scheme – trainees are not paid. However you will obtain work experience, excellent training, a qualification which will considerably improve your prospects of obtaining a fulfilling and satisfying advice work job in the future. This is a fantastic opportunity to assist local people with welfare benefits, housing and debt matters, all under the supervision of trained staff. You could be helping with sorting out benefit problems, filing in a forms, contacting a creditor to arrange or dispute payments for debts, or dealing with housing problems. As a Trainee Advisor you will be interviewing clients, finding out about their situation, supporting them to resolve their problem, or referring them to alternative services. This could include telephone advice, appointments, drop in advice sessions, interpreting, helping caseworkers with their advice casework. The Learning to Advise course will be on Wednesdays in Island House, E14 3AB from April to July (provisionally) – NVQs from September 2026 (takes about 12 months).
Advice, Information & Support,Community Work
Admin, Basic IT skills - internet & email, Reading & Writing, Customer Service
- You do not need any previous experience, but good literacy and communication skills are essential. - You do not need to have any qualifications, but all applicants must sit a literacy test. - Advice work can be stressful and demanding - you need to be able to able to deal with clients in a non-judgmental, supportive, and empathetic manner. - You will need basic computer skills. - People interested in advice, support and community work. - Those looking to build a career in the advice sector. - No prior advice experience is required (training provided) but a non-judgemental attitude and a desire to help people is essential.
- You will gain significant work experience, a qualification, and all the knowledge you need to apply for paid advice job roles. - In addition, you will have an opportunity to gain an accredited qualification NVQ Level 3 in Advice and Guidance. - Hands-on experience in advice work. - Professional training from experienced advisers.
This role requires a long term, serious commitment. Volunteers must be available for 2 days per week for 12 months. One day is spent volunteering and one day on training.
E14 3AB
Island House, Roserton Street
Near Crossharbour DLR
10
