Hampshire CAB Consortium Working Together

Questions about Volunteering

1  INTRODUCTION

As part of our service, last year we:

• Provided free legal help and advice to local communities.
• Helped people across Hampshire claim many millions of pounds they were entitled to.
• Enabled clients to deal with over tens of millions of pounds of debt.
• Advised and supported people on a range of other issues from employment, housing and relationships to dealing with discrimination.

None of this would be possible without the support and assistance of our volunteers.

Volunteers are the heart of all the services we offer. Without the support and dedication of our volunteers we would be unable to provide the help that we offer to the community. We are always keen to hear from people who want to make a difference.

All we ask is:

• A commitment to regularly donate your time.
• A commitment to equal and fair treatment for all.
• A desire to make a difference to your local community.
• Anything else we can help you achieve through support, training and supervision every step of the way.

2  WHAT DO ADVISERS DO?

CAB relies upon voluntary advisers to deliver nearly all of our ”front line“ advice service to the public.   This means working on a huge variety of issues, both complex and simple, that clients consult us about every day.   Advisers work in teams, with support from colleagues.   There is a range of information and specialist support to enable you to deliver a quality service.

3   WHAT DO ADMINISTRATION VOLUNTEERS DO?

Our administration volunteers are an integral part in the provision of help to a wide variety of people, supporting our advisors and acting as the first point of contact for clients.

Administration volunteers perform a wide variety of tasks that are essential for the smooth running of the bureau and providing the best possible help to our clients.

These tasks include:

• Being the public face of the bureau, greeting clients, providing basic information, booking appointments and answering the telephone
• Using spread sheets, databases and word processing packages
• Receiving and sending faxes, mail, email and telephone calls
• Taking notes and minutes at meetings
• Updating the website and local information systems
• Providing IT support and developing publicity materials

There are many different administrative roles - we can match your skills and the time you have available to the bureau’s needs.

4  WHAT DO TRUSTEES DO?

The Trustee Board is made up of members of the community who govern the bureau and ensure that we provide a quality and accessible service to clients.

Trustees take part in a number of vital roles in the bureau including:

• Setting the overall direction and supporting the development of the bureau
• Ensuring that the bureau meets the needs of the local community for quality and accessible advice
• Recruiting staff
• Setting and controlling the bureau budget
• Fundraising and promoting the bureau
• Ensuring that the bureau complies with relevant laws

Meetings generally tend to be in the evenings. We need people from all sections of the community with a wide range of different skills, experience and perspectives to take part in this vital role.

5  WHAT TIME COMMITMENT IS REQUIRED?

Most bureaux require a minimum of 6 hours per week.   This can include evening appointments, follow up work, reading and writing up reports. We try to be as flexible as possible to allow for outside commitments.   A minimum of 6 training events or staff meetings should be attended over the course of a year.

6   WHAT TRAINING IS PROVIDED?

All advisers must complete the national “CAB Certificate in General Advice Work” which is common to all CABx.   This is a combination of working through learning packs in your own time, tutorials in the bureau; observation; supervised interviews; practical exercises; and two 4 day courses with other CABx.   The training can be condensed into a short time, but on an average of a day per week, it takes 3 to 6 months. After the basic training is completed, further “post basic” training is available on more complex subjects.   Ongoing training is provided for experienced workers to keep up to date, or to gain more in depth knowledge.

7  DO VOLUNTEERS SPECIALISE?

As CAB work has become more complex, the opportunities for specialisation have increased.   The sort of issues where we have ongoing cases, sometimes requiring representation, and more detailed knowledge of the law, include

• Benefits
• Money Advice
• Employment
• Housing

A few CAB across the county only deal with particular particular problems. For example, at Heathland CAB all the work is with clients with mental ill-health, so this is a different type of specialism, although the basic advice work and issues may be the same.   If you choose to specialise, it usually involves seeing a case through from beginning to end, which can offer more job satisfaction, and can lead to paid work.   “Generalist” advice suits others better, as it provides more variety and is less involved.

8  WHY DO PEOPLE VOLUNTEER?

Here are some comments from existing voluntary advisers at the CAB:

"Job satisfaction with training and support"

"Superb colleagues"

"Helping make a difference to people's lives"

"Never boring or humdrum"

"Intellectually stimulating and rewarding"

"A satisfying way of keeping the brain active and helping others at the same time"

"Interesting, varied, challenging, satisfying"

"Working with people of a like mind"

"Interesting, rewarding and demanding"

"Friendly, supportive team"

"Enjoy the challenge and satisfaction of improving people's lives"

9  WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN VOLUNTEERS?

As we provide full training, we do not ask for any formal qualifications or experience - although obviously any specialist knowledge will be well used.   What we do look for, however, are:

• Ability and willingness to work within the aims, principles and equal opportunities of the CAB service
• Good communication skills
• Ability to interact with and respect others
• Openness to new ideas and willingness to learn.

10  HOW TO VOLUNTEER

If you would like to volunteer, or find out more about volunteering, please contact your local bureau by letter, telephone, fax or e-mail using the information which you will find from the 'Contact Us' page.

11  LINK TO CITIZENS ADVICE VOLUNTEERING PAGE

If you would like more information on volunteering for Citizens Advice please go to the main Citizens Advice website.
 

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