Volunteering

Why volunteer for us?

All sorts of people volunteer for many different reasons, but one thing that unites them all is that they find it challenging, rewarding and varied. Volunteering provides an opportunity to learn new skills and to develop existing ones:

CAB adviser training is accredited by the Open Network, and is respected and valued throughout the advice sector.

Each role will enable you to develop specific expertise. For example, you might improve your IT and organisational skills as a campaigner.

In any role, you will develop your skills in a number of valuable areas, like communication and dealing with the public, as well as increasing your self-confidence through practical hands-on experience.

There are opportunities for everyone to develop, you never stop learning!

It is also a chance to put the skills and experience you have to good use by helping others. We need people of all ages and backgrounds. For many people, the best thing about volunteering for the CAB is getting to meet a wide range of people and making new friends. There is a real team spirit at CAB, and we provide a supportive environment to make sure that you make the most out of your time with us. Above all, it is a chance to make a real difference.

By volunteering for the CAB you will be playing an active part in improving the lives of millions of people and influencing the development of national and local policies and services. And you will not be out of pocket - the CAB will cover any travel costs incurred by volunteering.

Is it time you gave yourself a new challenge?

What do our volunteers do?
Advisers
Being an adviser is a very varied role. As an adviser you will:

Interview clients at drop-in sessions and an appointments in the bureau, over the phone and at outreach sessions.
Give information from the CAB electronic information systems and other sources.
Give advice in explaining the choices and consequences the client faces.
Give practical help by writing letters, making phone calls, completing forms, doing calculations and even representing clients at tribunals.
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 do not 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, and do basic maths.
Be open-minded and non-judgemental.
Enjoy helping people.

Support every step of the way Advisers do not 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 up-to-the-minute electronic information system contains most of the information you will need when advising clients. You will not 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.

Administrators / Receptionists
These are the public face of the bureau and they ensure that bureau systems run smoothly. Good support is essential for the running of any organisation, and CAB is no different. There are many different administrative roles so we can match your skills and time available to the bureau's needs. Tasks may include :

Greeting clients and making them feel comfortable.
Using spread sheets, databases and word processing packages.
Maintaining and developing administrative systems.
Stock control of leaflets, materials and updating information.
Helping to arrange events.
Receiving and sending faxes, mail, and email.
Taking notes and minutes at meetings.
Answering the telephone.
Chaperone home visits.

Gateway assessors

At our drop in centres the first person a client is likely to see is an Gateway Assessor this person is there to assist the client in describing their needs and by means of a process "gateway" them onto the next step for their assistance. This may be to point them to an internet page to assist them with their enquiry. Or it could be they will direct them to another agency that will assist them with their specific needs. It could also be that they may make an appointment to see one of our advisors

Campaigners
Campaigners, or Social Policy Coordinators, 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 their 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.

IT support volunteers
The CAB Service is increasingly taking advantage of developments in IT. As an IT support volunteer you may be involved in a variety of areas, depending on your skills and the time you have available, for example:

Supporting and training users in day-to-day use of IT systems.
Troubleshooting hardware and software problems.
Maintaining and developing networks.
Designing spreadsheets, databases and websites.

To apply for any of these roles please download and complete the application form and email it to alan@haveringcab.org.uk. If you are experiencing any problems while applying for a vacancy please call: 01708 763531 and ask for Alan.