We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds

And we particularly welcome applications from people from Black Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities, disabled people, people with physical or mental health conditions, LGBT+ and non-binary people.

Generalist Advisers

Many of our volunteers are Generalist Advisers, helping our clients over the phone and face to face to explore the issue they need help with and find the information needed to solve their problems. Our volunteers are of a range of ages and come from different backgrounds with varied life experiences.

Giving advice can involve supporting clients to find information themselves and to take action, for example, to use a computer to manage their money, pay their council tax bill or find a rented property. Or sometimes it involves helping clients with one specific issue, such as completing a benefits form, or sorting out a consumer problem. But many of our volunteers help clients with a range of issues, supporting them to weigh up their options and to take action.

Advisers are supported at all times and there is fully comprehensive, easy-to-access information covering all the issues that a client may want help with. Our volunteers are not expected to know everything! We would need a commitment of 6 hours per week arranged to suit the volunteer.

Full training is given and there is continuous supervision and support from our friendly team. Read some of our volunteers’ stories for an idea of what it is like to be an adviser at Citizens Advice Charnwood.

Some trustees have a specific role, such as being the Chair, Treasurer or Secretary. These positions have defined responsibilities, such as chairing and facilitating meetings (Chair), overseeing the budget (Treasurer) and taking and circulating minutes (Secretary).

Other trustees will get involved in additional governance projects, such as supporting fundraising, developing strategy or overseeing HR procedures.

If you are interested in becoming a trustee and would like to discuss any aspect of the role, please initially contact our Administrator by email at: admin@charnwoodcab.co.uk.

You don't need specific qualifications or skills but you'll need to:
  • understand and accept the responsibilities and liabilities as trustees
  • be non-judgmental and respect views, values and cultures that are different to your own
  • have good listening, verbal and written communication skills
  • be able to exercise good independent judgment
  • have good numeracy skills to understand accounts with the support of the treasurer
  • be willing to learn about and follow the Citizens Advice aims, principles and policies, including confidentiality and data protection
  • be willing to undertake training in your role
  • doing what it was set-up to do, such as offering high quality advice services to the local community
  • complying with the law, including upkeep of premises, insurance, recruitment and equipment
  • securing money to meet current and new demands and that all funds are used responsibly
  • recognised and valued by local organisations, funders and people, who are aware of the vital service their local Citizens Advice provides

Trustee boards usually meet in the evenings and you’ll likely need to give a minimum of 8 hours per month. Attendance at regular meetings is expected by all trustees. 

You may need to attend other meetings if you’re involved in specific projects or meet with volunteers and staff occasionally within Citizens Advice Charnwood. We can be flexible about the time spent and how often you volunteer, so come and talk to us.

Trustees

Our trustees are volunteers who use their skills, knowledge and experience to help guide and govern their local Citizens Advice. They work with the Chief Officer and other staff to shape strategy and give direction to Citizens Advice Charnwood.

We are currently recruiting
Trustees & generalist advisers

If you are interested in any volunteer role, please complete the Volunteer Application form along with the Equality & Diversity monitoring form and email to training@charnwoodcab.co.uk or return the forms to our Loughborough office.

Download application

Volunteer Stories

Just over six years ago I retired from full time work after a rewarding career in education. I knew at that point I didn't want to lapse into daytime TV or time-filling new hobbies. At an open day for those interested in voluntary work I was immediately attracted by the prospect of working as a trained adviser for Citizens Advice. I had heard good things about the charity. I've never regretted that decision.

The training is rigorous, supportive and varied. Trainees follow modules in areas such as benefits, employment, consumer rights, housing and finance. They shadow more experienced colleagues, get to know the databases and references we use and are shown how to record each case. We learn how to help clients identify the core of their issues, to present options available in a neutral and informed manner and how to provide practical advice with matters such as letter writing or form filling. Gradually you build up your knowledge but Citizens Advice is very much a team approach and advisers speak to session supervisors for additional information or help with more complex issues. The work is challenging, but manageable.

Good training opportunities and up to date resources on current issues means we are always learning new things. If you are interested in the way local and national government policies affect individuals and families then you will find not only do you have the chance to help make things better for clients but also that that their rights and entitlements are respected. At the end of each day as a volunteer I always reflect "that was worthwhile…I hope and think I really helped someone today."
Tony
Volunteer since
When I finally retired, I didn't want to depart entirely from the world of work so I started to investigate the possibility of volunteering. I had used Citizens Advice once in the past and had been impressed, so thought I would look into what was required to volunteer with them. Being an adviser looked interesting and challenging and I felt it was something I could have a go at. Plus I would be helping people which, for me, was an important part of wanting to volunteer.

The training was good and was combined with practical hands-on work so I felt as though I was always progressing. Volunteers are highly valued by Citizens Advice and this was always apparent through the ever-present support and encouragement given by both staff and fellow volunteers. Being an adviser has kept me mentally alert and in touch with current issues as well as providing an opportunity to meet and mix with a wide range of people. And, I can honestly say, it has never been boring!
Jude
Volunteer since
I volunteered 2 years ago whilst I was recovering from an illness and I had time and skills to give. The training was thorough and did take about 8 months to complete but during that time I was involved within the office and alongside the computer-based learning. I sat in with experienced advisers, and was able to see the theory put into practice.

Since completing my training in Loughborough I am now able to help local people make informed decisions and choices across a wide variety of issues.

Volunteering is hard work and is a commitment but you are rewarded with the fact that you have made a difference to someone who could not see a way forward or know what their options were.
Denise
Volunteer since

We are a small, local charity with limited resources, staffed mainly by volunteers. Our phone line is extremely busy. If you can't get through it means we are helping someone else. Please try again during our opening hours. Whilst we would like to help everyone this is not always possible. We are doing our best.

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