Warm Connections Energy Champion
Hosted by: DIAL Barnsley

You will be supporting people who are struggling to pay their heating/ energy bills and those who would benefit from your support and advice to reduce their energy costs and/ or access any opportunities/ improvements to achieve affordable energy in their homes. You will work closely with the Social Inclusion Worker (S.I.W) to identify ways that people can make savings to reduce the risk of living in a cold home.
You will know that you have tried to make a positive difference to other people’s lives, you will see the people you support growing in the confidence needed to make changes to their lives that could have a lasting impact for them in terms of their/ their families health and finances. Also
• You will have access to all the training you will need to successfully carry out your role e.g. DIAL’s Induction Training, orientation visits, specialist role related training such as Introduction to Fuel Poverty Training.
• You will meet and spend time with like- minded people.
• You will have new skills to put on your C.V.
• You will have the opportunity to try other roles within DIAL and learn more skills if you want to try other challenges.
• You will have access to informal support meetings on a regular basis and access to Volunteer Meetings.

Days required: Mon AM, Mon PM, Tues AM, Tues PM, Weds AM, Weds PM, Thur AM, Thur PM, Fri AM, Fri PM

How many volunteers are needed:

10

Recruitment process:

Once you contact us we will get in touch either by email or telephone (depending on the contact details you have left us). You will be invited to come to DIAL to meet the Volunteer Support Officer for an informal chat/ interview to see if this is the role that can offer you what you want from your volunteering. You will have the opportunity to have a look at the training you’ll need to undertake, ask about the organisation, what we provide for our volunteers or any other questions you may have. You will be given a short application form to complete after this meeting if you would like to apply. We require 2 references to support your application and training will begin within a timescale that you are happy with.

Skills and quaifications:

You don’t need any special qualifications for this role but a basic understanding of the general issues facing our clients and an interest in helping them is essential.

Some awareness around how to make energy savings would be useful (but not essential) as would basic I.T. skills.

Other skills/ character traits an Energy Champion needs are:
• A caring nature.
• A willingness to support others to make changes.
• Sensitivity when dealing with other people.
• Good listening skills.
• Reliability and patience.
• Ability to work in a confidential framework.
• Non- judgemental with other people.

Suitable for specific groups: BME, Carers, Disabled (physical), Ex-offenders, Event volunteers, LGBTQ+, Long term health condition, Older people, Refugees and asylum seekers, Substance misuse, Unemployed
Gender restrictions?: No
Type of activity: Befriending and buddying, Community Work, Local events