Budget coach debt prevention for refugees

Refugee Work Wageningen

looking for volunteers immediately

BUDGET COACHES

FOR THE DEBT PREVENTION PROJECT EURO-WIJZER

Refugees often start their lives in the Netherlands from a very vulnerable income position. They have a minimum income and no savings. They need a lot of money for things like furnishing their homes, and due to a lack of understanding of all the new obligations and regulations, they sometimes make unwise decisions. Moreover, the Netherlands is a rather complicated country with complex regulations if you have no experience and don't speak the language yet.

With its Budget Coaching project, VluchtelingenWerk Wageningen aims to contribute to a better understanding and a safety net for refugees on low incomes. We do this by supporting approximately 25 refugees per year (or more) in developing financial skills, such as keeping their household finances organized, managing digital payments, and learning to plan ahead and improve their spending.

For this purpose, we are looking for volunteers who want to become budget coaches for refugees who want to learn to be financially self-sufficient.

As a budget coach, you offer one-on-one guidance to refugees. Together, you identify their challenges and learning needs. Initially, the volunteer budget coach and the refugee work closely together, but eventually, the refugee gradually takes over the activities.

To support budget coaches, Nibud has developed a workbook specifically for refugees, which they can use. The Dutch Council for Refugees offers training to help budget coaches learn how to use this material.

What do we expect from a budget coach?

• Good communication skills;
• Interest in refugees;
• Dealing with low literacy/low-educated refugees;
• To be able to keep orderly records;
• Be willing to participate in the training;
• Minimum commitment of one year;
• Minimum availability 6 hours per week.
• [Experience as a budget coach or an affinity with the subject of debt prevention is an advantage]

What do we have to offer?

• Interesting and meaningful volunteer work in a great team
• Expert guidance and a pleasant office (at Markt 17)
• Training use of Nibud workbook
• Internal training opportunities
• Contact with other cultures
• [possibly travel and expense allowance]

Interested?

You can send your motivation letter to atimmerman@vluchtelingenwerk.nl

If you have any questions, please contact Annet Timmerman, telephone 0653731171