Galafield Hub Pathways Pastoral Support Team

The Pathways Pastoral Support Team provides a listening ear and signposting to appropriate agencies for people who use the food bank.

They are often the first point of contact where people with multiple and complex needs have an opportunity to discuss their problems.

Members of the team will: -

• Approach people who they suspect might need additional support.
• Open a conversation with the person and allow them time and space to discuss any issues but especially why they need to use the food bank.

Skills

• To have a quiet and calm disposition and to be able to provide calm and effective support to people in crisis who may be emotionally upset.
• Confidence to approach people as they wait for their food parcel and to engage them in conversation.
• An ability to recognise people who might need additional support and to give them priority over others using the food bank.
• Empathetic listening skills or a willingness to develop those skills through training.
• An ability to recognise when signposting to appropriate agencies might be necessary.
• An understanding of the processes of referral to other agencies or opportunities for support.
• An understanding of the barriers that many of the people using the food bank might experience in accessing other forms of support, advice & guidance.
• An understanding of the Food Bank Safeguarding policy and procedures.
• A willingness to undertake appropriate internal and external training.