RECRUITING NOW

Do you have the time and interest to help members of your local community, whilst gaining new skills and experience in a rewarding and friendly environment?
Citizens Advice Charnwood is looking for volunteers to help deliver our much-needed services. Whether it's giving advice and information to our clients, helping with admin and reception tasks, or joining our board of trustees, we have a wide range of roles which are offered with full training and support.
We're a registered charity providing people with free information and advice on a wide range of issues including debt, benefits, and employment.
This is a great opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds who have a minimum of 6 hours per week to spare (or more if you're able!).
We don't require any formal qualifications as we recognise that there are a huge number of people with a wealth of experience and skill sets to offer. You may have retired, or don't work full time and want to make a difference and help others resolve their problems.
Our current team come from many walks of life including, teachers, retailers, civil servants, charity workers, administrators, and students.
We particularly welcome applications from racially minoritised people/people of colour, disabled people, people with physical or mental health conditions, LGBTQ+ and non-binary people.

Volunteer Stories

Tony's Story:
"Just over six years ago I retired from full time work after a rewarding career in education. I didn't want to lapse into daytime TV or time-filling new hobbies. At an open day for those interested in voluntary work I was immediately attracted by the prospect of working as a trained adviser for Citizens Advice. I had heard good things about the charity. I've never regretted that decision.
The training is rigorous, supportive, and varied. Trainees follow modules in areas such as benefits, employment, consumer rights, housing, and finance. They shadow more experienced colleagues. We learn how to help clients identify the core of their issues and to present options available in a neutral and informed manner. We can also help them with letter writing or form filling. Citizens Advice is very much a team approach, the work is challenging, but manageable."

Denise's story
I volunteered two years ago whilst I was recovering from an illness, and I suddenly had the time to offer my time and skills. The training was thorough and did take time to complete but during that time I was involved within the office and sat in with experienced advisers and was able to see the theory put into practice.
Since completing my training in Loughborough, I am now able to help local people make informed decisions and choices across a wide variety of issues.
Volunteering is hard work and is a commitment but reaps great rewards as you're able to see first-hand how you've made a difference to someone who could not see a way forward or know what their options were."

Jude's story
"When I finally retired, I didn't want to depart entirely from the world of work, so I started to investigate the possibility of volunteering. I had used Citizens Advice once in the past and had been impressed. Being an adviser looked interesting and challenging and I felt it was something I could have a go at. Plus, I would be helping people which, for me, was an important part of wanting to volunteer.
The training was good and was combined with practical hands-on work, so I felt as though I was always progressing. Volunteers are highly valued by Citizens Advice, and this was always apparent through the ever-present support and encouragement given by both staff and fellow volunteers. Being an adviser has kept me mentally alert and in touch with current issues as well as providing an opportunity to meet and mix with a wide range of people. And, I can honestly say, it has never been boring!
During the pandemic our delivery model changed and we switched to telephone advice. We now offer a blend of telephone advice and face to face appointments.
We now have the option to work in the office or from home, which gives greater flexibility for our advisers and a better service to our clients.

If you are interested in finding out more about our volunteering roles, please email training @charnwoodcab.co.uk with your details or Call Denise on 01509 221202 for an informal chat to see if it's right for you. A visit to the office can be arranged for you to see how we work.
Applications forms are also available on our website www.charnwoodcab.org.uk