Rewarding opportunities are available as volunteer Advisors or in supporting roles.
**New** volunteering roles available in the Financial Capability unit.
If you would like to become a volunteer or find out more about volunteering please ring 01686 628963
Like other charity organizations, POWYS CAB seeks to involve volunteers in all aspects of its work. From the Trustee Board, to the dedicated team of Advisers and Admin staff, volunteers find their own niche in the service and play their part in helping to change people lives. Targeted advertisements by the Recruitment Officer encourage people from all backgrounds to contact the bureau and offer their time and skills for the benefit of their community. Providing they are compatible with the aims and principles of the CAB service, the new volunteers are welcomed in and begin their journey of development.
The role that volunteers' train for usually depends on the time and commitment they can offer. For instance, someone who can only manage a few, possible irregular hours a week might be best suited to helping in an admin role, maybe with mail distribution or data inputting.
Advisers
Most people who enquire about volunteering have heard of, or experienced the advice that Citizens Advice Bureaux give and are spurred on to train as an adviser themselves. Such people need to be willing to face a challenge and spare at least two days a week.
CAB volunteer advisers follow an accredited training programme and help clients solve their problems using the Citizens Advice up to the minute online information system - 'Adviser Net'. This is regularly updated by the Citizens Advice Information Department and covers almost any topic you can think of from dealing with mounting debts to unfair dismissal. Advisers are also encouraged to keep their skills up to date by attending training events put on by Citizens Advice around the country. All expenses involved in volunteering are covered, whatever role is undertaken.
Admin and bureau support
The CAB service would not be possible without the vital support work done by volunteer administrators. Receptionists are the first contact clients have with the CAB and our volunteers put people at ease and ensure that important details are taken.
Other roles volunteers can play a valuable part in include developing IT, fundraising, publicity, social policy campaigns, and supporting other volunteers.
Trustees
Not everyone realizes that Trustee Board members are volunteers too. They play a crucial role in setting and monitoring goals for the development, funding and management of an individual CAB to make sure it meets the needs of local people and runs efficiently.
If you would like to become a volunteer or just find out more about volunteering please ring:
01686 628963
Some more of our volunteers:
| Volunteer Trainee Advisers being supervised at a morning session.
"Advising for the CAB is never boring. I meet lots of different people -colleagues and clients. I get asked questions on an amazingly wide range of subjects which increases one's own knowledge no end — never think you've 'heard it all'! It's very satisfying when there is a successful outcome for a client. I have learned how not to be too afraid of computers and how to use all the information systems".
volunteer adviser. POWYS CAB
Taking calls from clients who have called our 4-day a week advice line.
CAB volunteering provides invaluable skills and experience which is recognised by employers. Powys CAB recruits, on average, 10-20 new volunteers every year, of whom about half continue beyond a year, finding that the activities fit in with their availability and motivations.
"After caring for my children as a single parent for many years I looked for training to get me back into the workplace. Volunteering for CAB gave me a chance to learn new IT skills, gain experience of a busy office and achieve a Certificate of Generalist Advisor, all in hours that suited my family needs. Now, many years later I am a paid employee of the Bureau and feel satisfaction at being able to repay society for the support I received myself"
VOLUNTEER ADVISER and PAID STAFF, POWYS CAB
"About 10 years ago I was unemployed and decided to look into doing voluntary work (within Benefit guidelines). I chose the CAB after having had advice myself previously, and am now kept-busy doing filing, clerical work, telephone reception etc."
VOLUNTEER ADMIN WORKER, POWYS CAB.
"Volunteering for the Citizens Advice Bureau has been an innovation for me and I have had my eyes opened to such an extent that I have had to reassess my thinking about the community I live in. I am delighted to be able to play a small part in a very professional organisation and it has certainly made me realise just how many people need help. I would recommend voluntary work to anyone who wishes to broaden their outlook and offer an invaluable service".
EX -VOLUNTEER ADVISOR, POWYS CAB (NOW PAID STAFF)
WHY DO PEOPLE DONATE THEIR FREE TIME?
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. There is an opportunity to learn new skills, develop existing ones and enjoy becoming a valued part of a busy team. Time given can be as flexible as possible while still allowing us to provide a consistent service. In fact it is the flexibility of volunteering for a service like Citizens advice that makes it so suitable for people in different circumstances. Some volunteers are unable to or don't need to work regularly but want to contribute something to their local community. Powys CAB has volunteers who have been with us for many years.
| 
