What do our volunteers do?

"I get a real feeling of satisfaction from making a difference, especially for people less able to stand up for their rights.” Sheila, Stretford CAB

Without our trained volunteer advisers we could not continue to meet the demands for advice. We offer a holistic generalist advice service and all advisers are given free formal and on the job training. You are supported every step of the way and all your expenses are paid. As a CAB adviser you would:

• interview clients
• help them negotiate with people such as creditors or service providers
• draft letters
• make telephone calls on behalf of clients
• refer them to other agencies
• represent them in court and at tribunals.

Attention all law students
If you train as a CAB adviser, you can get up to six months off your solicitor training contracts!

• More about CAB advice

"I wanted to get more experience of admin work and help the community at the same time. I've gained lots of skills and confidence and learned more about my local community." Jagdev, volunteer administrator

As a CAB volunteer administrator you would ensure the smooth running of a bureau including:

• word processing
• file management
• arranging events
• using databases and spreadsheets
• answering emails and  phone calls
• updating local information.

"I've learned more about life whilst at the CAB than I did during my whole working life before" Barbara, volunteer receptionist

You would be the public face of the Citizens Advice service, meeting clients on a daily basis:

• greet clients
• arrange appointments
• answer the telephone
• provide information on service to clients
• manage the waiting room
• keep records.

"As a CAB trustee, my voice is heard, and with other trustees we can bring about change collectively." Kail, CAB trustee

"My employer encouraged us to get involved in the community. It's valuable partnership working" Susan, CAB trustee

"The Citizens Advice service challenges the social issues I feel passionate about. As a trustee I can help redress the imbalance of injustice" Azad, CAB trustee

Because every CAB is a registered charity, each has its own board of trustees, some trustee roles require specific skills but bureaux welcome people of all ages, backgrounds and experience to their trustee boards. Because trustee boards tend to meet in the evenings, you can fit this around a full time job or study. This could be the voluntary role you are looking for to play a key role in a vital community organisation.

• manage and plan the bureau's overall strategic direction
• act as employer for paid staff
• manage the bureau's finances
• ensure the bureau complies with the law
• are responsible for premises, insurance and equipment.

By using evidence collected from the clients the bureau helps, you could help bring about changes in local and national policies and services which can benefit everyone, even those who have never used a CAB.

• complete and collate evidence forms recording clients problems
• identify and raise relevant issues in the bureau
• train staff and volunteers in identifying issues and completing evidence forms
• conduct research and write reports
• get involved in media campaigning
• liase with other bureaux and agencies.

• More about our policy/campaign work

As a CAB IT co-ordinator you would help bureaux to use IT effectively to provide quality services to our clients. Citizens Connect our ambitious IT programme introduced a virtual private network right across the service, helped us to introduce an electronic case management system and provide access to e-government services for the public:

• supporting bureau workers including staff and volunteers
• troubleshooting
• web design
• training bureau workers in IT skills
• assisting with email advice.

• More about Citizens Connect and IT in the Citizens Advice service