Volunteering for us is very rewarding. Not only will you meet like minded people, but you will be helping people in your own community.

We invest in your development by joining us you become part of highly respected advice network dedicated to working to improve the lives of others.

Henry Lu – volunteer – recently said about his experience: “I feel also deeply privileged to be working alongside some exceptional people I immensely respect and admire.  The joy of working with groups of passionately generous, selflessly dedicated, exceptionally professional and astoundingly knowledgeable yet superhumanly modest people has really enriched my life in the most refreshing way!“

There are many volunteer roles within Citizens Advice South Warwickshire and you’re sure to find one that fits your skills, experience and/or interests. At Citizens Advice everyone works as part of a team committed to serving their community. The video below explains why people choose to volunteer with us.

If you are interested in volunteering for us email our volunteer coordinator first to check what vacancies we currently have.

Email: volunteering@casouthwarwickshire.org.uk

Here are more details about some of the roles we recruit into during the year.

Advisers

Without our teams of trained volunteer Advisers we could not continue to meet the demands for our service. Adviser’s have a very broad and varied role and are central to the services we provide.

The role of an Adviser is to:

• Interview clients both over the phone and face to face
• Research information from our electronic information system and other sources.
• Provide advice, explanation and help with the choices and consequences that the client faces.
• Help clients negotiate with people such as creditors and service providers.
• Give practical help by writing letters, making telephone calls, completing forms, etc.
• Refer clients to other agencies who are better placed to help.
• Keep detailed records of all clients’ cases.
• Prevent future problems for clients by identifying failing policies and poor services.

Skills

You don’t need any particular qualifications or experience to train as an adviser. All sorts of people become advisers, but you will need to:

• Be good at listening and being patient.
• Be able to work in a team.
• Be able to read and write English to a good standard and do basic maths.
• Be open-minded and non-judgemental.
• Enjoy helping people.
• Be supportive to clients and colleagues.
• Be confident using Information Technology.

Our Advisers don’t need to know everything. We provide free formal and comprehensive accredited training. Our training is backed up by excellent support, supervision and guidance to help you achieve the skills you need to deliver a high quality service to our clients.  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. Our advice service has become more reliant on Information Technology and we now have an up-to-the-minute electronic system containing most of the information you will need when advising clients.

Administrators

A sound support structure is essential for the day to day running of any organisation, and Citizens Advice is no different. Administrators ensure that the office systems run smoothly and efficiently. There are various administrative roles, so we will match your skills and time to our service needs.

The administrators tasks can include:

• Using computer spreadsheets, databases and word processing software.
• Maintaining and developing administrative systems.
• Stock control of leaflets and materials and updating local information.
• Helping to arrange events.
• Handling correspondence, telephone calls, and email.
• Taking notes and minutes at meetings.

 

Receptionists

Receptionists are the public face of Citizens Advice. They are the main link between the public and the service. This role would suit people who are methodical, organised and patient. As a receptionist, you would:

• Greet clients and make them feel comfortable
• Arrange appointments and answer phone calls
• Provide information on the service to clients
• Manage the waiting room
• Keep records
• All sorts of people become receptionists, but you will need to:
• Be friendly and approachable
• Have good verbal communication skills including telephone skills
• Good IT skills including Word, email and the internet
• Flexibility and willingness to work as part of a team
• Awareness of the potential needs of, and demands placed on, vulnerable clients.

Grant finders

Increasingly people are coming to us struggling with their finances and unable to make ends meet. They end up not being able to afford the basic necessities like food and heating or they find themselves unable to afford a cooker or fridge.  We need volunteers who can help us to secure financial grants for clients, as requested by advisers. The main duties include:

• Assessing a clients’ financial needs and applying for relevant grants on their behalf.
• Keeping up-to-date records of information.
• Liaising with local charities, trusts and suppliers.
• Carrying out related administrative duties such as photocopying, scanning and filing.

To do this we are looking for volunteers who are:

• Well organised and systematic
• Have good people skills including an ability to interview people from all backgrounds sensitively and without judgement
• Are a good communicator by telephone and e-mail as well as face to face
• Have strong IT skills
• Have an understanding of or willingness to learn about basic consumer rights and money management including completing a financial statement
• have an understanding and commitment to the aims and principles of Citizens Advice

Fundraisers

Citizens Advice South Warwickshire is a registered charity and is totally dependent on funding from local authorities, business, charitable trusts, foundations and individuals. We are constantly looking for fundraising volunteers to work with us in the following ways to meet our fundraising objectives:

• Help to research fundraising opportunities.
• Organising fundraising events.
• Help completing fundraising applications.
• Providing support to fundraising groups, such as a local Friends organisation.

Campaigners

By using evidence collected from our clients, you can help to bring about changes in local and national policies and services. This will benefit many people, even those who have never used Citizens Advice services. As a Campaign volunteer you will be involved in a variety of areas depending upon your skills and the time you have available. You might:

• Raise awareness with staff and volunteers of current social policy issues.
• Check evidence forms for quality regarding clients’ issues and problems.
• Identify and raise relevant issues with Citizens Advice nationally.
• Conduct research and write reports.
• Get involved in media campaigning.
• Liaise with other bureaux and external agencies. 

For more information on national campaign priorities please visit Campaigns