Citizens Advice are a national and well-known charitable organisation, and their branch in East Hampshire offers advice, support and assistance, and advocacy and mediation to local community members. They are always calling for volunteers of all backgrounds to deliver essential services and support local people. They support hundreds of people in East Hampshire every year and they can only do this work thanks to its team of volunteers.
The charity is always looking for new Volunteer Advisers and never has the help and advice Citizens Advice support people with been needed more. Recently, this charity saw a massive rise in people coming to them for help with cost of living, debt and related subjects, who were all really struggling to make ends meet. Their Advisers are key to them being able to meet this demand and are trained to provide high quality, informative and sometimes complex advice to people in need. Denise previously volunteered for CABx as an Adviser for 17 years whilst working in recruitment, training and as an AS Supervisor for most of this time. Having retired, Denise was then interested in a simpler role and found our advert for the Adviser role on our website. Here’s more about her journey:
Why did you decide you wanted to volunteer?
“To be part of a professional team (as I was self-employed at the time). I was fortunate enough to be able to work p/t from my early 40s so started volunteering for the CABx service, and as soon as I had finished training (to be a legal adviser) they offered me p/t paid work too! I wanted to do something useful and interesting, and which also made use of my existing knowledge and skills, (and in fact it started a second career for me).”
Was there a lot of choice of volunteer roles or did you have a specific idea in mind?
“Yes, and after 17 years with the CABx I wanted something different, so went to a Gallery as a front of house volunteer; and to a country estate to work in their shop! And I knew I wanted lots of people contact; but there were always back-room roles for those who preferred admin or research; plus lots of places need volunteer gardeners!”
Were there any difficulties or barriers to finding a volunteer role?
“No because all the things I applied for used my existing work experience, so I had the basic skills needed for the volunteer roles; most places are very happy to train you too. (But one organisation lost me as they said they weren’t taking any more volunteers for 6 months, so I went elsewhere; then they got back in touch and changed their mind but it was too late!)”
Was it easy to apply, what did you have to do?
“Yes, just a simple form then a simple interview – nothing too testing.”
What have been the best bits about volunteering so far?
“Making new friends, helping the public, having regular activities in my diary again (as I am now retired), and learning about new organisations.”
What advice would you give other people who think they may want to volunteer?
“You’ve nothing to lose so go for it; and if you don’t like the role then say so and find another.”
Was it helpful to you using the Volunteer Service/the Volunteer First website and would you recommend them to others?
“Yes, straightforward, even for a Luddite like me!”