Further Information on Volunteering

If you're interested in any of the following, or you would like further information please phone us on 01932 827187

Or e-mail us at volunteer@runnymedecab.org.uk

Volunteer Adviser

Can you offer us...

  • Your time - a minimum of 2 half day advice sessions per week (although you'll need to give more time - about 14 hours per week - during the training period)
  • Your enthusiasm - to work through the comprehensive training programme
  • Your commitment - to attend advice sessions regularly, together with staff meetings and ongoing training

Then read on:

Being an adviser is a very varied role. As an adviser you will:

  • Interview clients at drop-in sessions and appointments in the bureau, over the telephone and at outreach sessions
  • Give information from the CAB information systems and other sources
  • Give advice in explaining the choices and consequences the client faces
  • Give practical help by writing letters, making telephone calls, completing forms, doing calculations and compiling appeals
  • Refer clients to other agencies if they are better placed to help
  • Keep records of all clients' cases
  • Prevent future problems by identifying issues that affect a lot of clients

You don't need any particular qualifications or experience to train as an adviser. All sorts of people are CAB advisers. You need to:

  • Be good at listening
  • Be able to work in a team
  • Be able to read and write English, compose letters and do basic maths
  • Be open-minded and non-judgemental
  • Enjoy helping people
  • Have basic computer skills

Support every step of the way!

Advisers don't need to know it all! We provide all trainee advisers with a comprehensive accredited training programme that will give you the skills you need to deliver a high quality service to clients. Our information system contains most of the information you will need when advising clients.

You won't be left alone after you are trained. There will always be a more experienced adviser, who will give you support, advice and guidance. All advisers are insured by CAB in case mistakes are made.

Once you have qualified as a Generalist Adviser, you will have the opportunity to develop further skills and increase the depth and breadth of your knowledge.

Trustee Board Members

All Citizens Advice Bureaux are independent charities, governed by their own board of trustees, who are ultimately responsible for the quality and range of the service. Day-to-day control is delegated to the bureau manager, but Trustees:

  • Set the overall direction and support of the development of the bureau
  • Ensure the bureau meets the needs of the local community and the NACAB membership standards
  • Employ CAB staff and control bureau finances
  • Earn and retain the respect of important and influential people and organizations in the community , including funding bodies
  • Ensure the bureau complies with relevant laws

CABx trustee boards need people from all sections of the community with a wide range of different skills, experience and perspectives. Trustee boards tend to meet in the evenings, making this a flexible role, which trustees often fit around a full-time job. A full induction into the trustee board's role and responsibilities will be provided.

Social Policy Campaigners

Campaigners, or Social Policy Co-ordinators, use information from problems brought to the bureau by clients to help bring about real change by influencing local and national policy. This is a flexible role, which can sometimes be partly carried out away from the bureau and outside their opening hours. It can involve:

  • Completing and collating evidence forms that record information about the problems clients experience
  • Identifying and raising issues in the bureau and at meetings
  • Training staff and volunteers in spotting particular issues and completing evidence forms
  • Conducting research and writing reports on local issues
  • Media campaigning and liaising with other bureaux and agencies to provide a voice for clients

Some CABx also involve volunteers in other roles, such as press and PR, fundraising, volunteer recruitment and community liaison.

 

Runnymede Citizens Advice Bureau