How you can help

The work of Wyre CAB would not be possible without our volunteers. If you wish to become a volunteer please contact us or find out more from reading the following.

Nationally ninety per cent of the CAB workers are volunteers. There are many ways to get involved. You could train to be an adviser, help streamline the office admin systems, or sit on the management committee and help with fundraising, publicity or our social policy work. All our volunteer advisers are fully trained. You do not need to have any particular qualification or experience, but the following abilities:

• a good listener and open minded
• able to work with clients to achieve results.
• read complex information and explain it
• do basic maths
• can work as a team member
• can commit yourself to a certain number of hours each week
• support equal opportunities

Voluntary work for the CAB gives good experience for paid employment. You'll get 100% support, full training and your expenses paid. We are committed to equal opportunities for our workers and clients, and welcome volunteers regardless of race, gender, sexuality or disabilities.

See what it's really like to be a CAB volunteer and join us.

Getting in touch

Please contact us in person or by letter or phone to find out more about being a CAB volunteer. For our local contact numbers and addresses please click here.

Advisers

Being an adviser is a very varied role. As an adviser you will:

• Interview clients at drop-in sessions and appointments in the bureau, over the phone and at outreach sessions

• Give information from the CAB electronic information system 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 don't 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 don't 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 won't 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

Administrators 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 - we can match your skills and time available to the bureau's needs. Tasks may include:

• Using spread sheets, databases and word processing packages

• Maintaining and developing administrative systems

• Stock control of leaflets and materials and updating information

• Helping to arrange events

• Receiving and sending faxes, mail, email and telephone calls

• Taking notes and minutes at meetings

Receptionists

Receptionists are the public face of the CAB. They are the main link between the public and the bureau. 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 CAB Service to clients

• Manage the waiting room

• Keep records

IT support co-ordinators

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

Trustee Board Members

All Citizens Advice Bureaux are independent charities, governed by their own board of trustees, who are ultimately responsible for the quality and range of the service. Day-to-day control is delegated to the bureau manager, but Trustees:

• Set the overall direction and support the development of the bureau

• Ensure the bureau meets the needs of the local community and the NACAB membership standards

• Employ CAB staff and control bureau finances

• Earn and retain the respect of important and influential people and organisations in the community, including funding bodies

• Ensure the bureau complies with relevant laws

CAB trustee boards need people from all sections of the community with a wide range of different skills, experience and perspectives. Trustee boards tend to meet in the evenings, making this a flexible role, which trustees often fit around a full-time job. A full induction into the trustee board's role and responsibilities will be provided.

Campaigners

•Social Policy Co-ordinators, 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 the 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

Some CAB also involve volunteers in other roles, such as press and PR, fundraising, volunteer recruitment and community liaison.