Two of the trainee debt advisers have agreed to contribute their case studies. They will outline their backgrounds, their experience of the training so far, and their goals for taking part the programme. Please note that all names in the case studies have been changed to preserve anonymity.
Case study one
Amy, has volunteered at her local Foodbank for several years. She noticed that Rooted Finance was offering free training in debt advice for volunteers and decided to sign-up. Amy regularly sees Foodbank users who have debt problems and the shame, stress and mental health issues that result.
Amy started the training in early 2024 and has now completed the ‘theory’ bits of the course, include three tests. She is now starting to practice what she has learned by shadowing the Rooted Finance Debt Adviser at the Foodbank and working through case-studies. She’s not yet a confident debt adviser but understands the theory, and the importance of gaining the client’s trust in order that they disclose financial difficulties. Amy says the course has highlighted how little people understand about debt and personal finance and how they lack money management skills.
After a career that has so far included work in the care and retail sectors and in management, Amy is now open to the idea of working in a debt advice role. It wasn’t something she had considered before but would now go for a job if it came up. It was quite by chance that the Rooted Finance course came up at the right time and place and she enjoys dealing with the complexities of each different case.
Case study two
Amina, is a volunteer and paid teacher at her local Islamic Community Centre. She also works part-time as a financial administrator for a private company, having obtained an BA in Finance and Accounting. During her community work, Amina regularly comes across people who are struggling financially. So, when a colleague told her about the free debt advice course that was being offered by Rooted Finance she signed up. She has since completed the theory parts of the course and has started to shadow debt advisers in face-to-face and telephone appointments.
Amina was aware of advice agencies but didn’t know that they provide money advice and dealt with things like Debt Relief Orders. Now she knows, she has amended her CV and is keeping an eye open for debt advice jobs, alongside finance jobs. Even if she doesn’t end up in a debt advice job, Amina will continue to do voluntary community work. She understands that pay in the voluntary sector can be lower than the private sector, but other terms and conditions can be better.
Amina is hoping that she gets some more practical experience of face-to-face debt advice now she has completed the initial training and she would like to attend foodbank advice sessions. The availability of the free debt advice training was a very important factor in Amina’s decision to sign-up. She feels many people would benefit from the course, for basic life skills as much as starting a career as an adviser. Having completed the training Amina would like some guidance on where debt advice jobs are likely to come up and feels that some central guidance on working in the advice sector would be helpful.
