Volunteer Advisers

Citizens Advice Stroud and Cotswold Districts needs volunteers now more than ever to help make a difference to local people. In the last year we have faced an unprecedented demand due to the cost of living crisis. We are appealing for new volunteers from all backgrounds who are looking for a volunteering role that is both challenging and rewarding. 

This role involves taking part in a weekly training programme for the first six months; you will start advising clients via email after about two months. Training takes place in our Cirencester office on Wednesday mornings, 9.30 am to 1 pm (with additional hours of learning at home or in one of our offices).

After the training, we are asking you to commit to one or two regular advice shifts (c. 8 - 10 hours per week) which can be carried out in the Stroud or Cirencester offices and/or one of our outreaches around the two districts.

Application packs will be sent out after attending an information session or a chat; this is so that applicants understand what is required to undertake the training and the role. Information sessions will take place:

• Wednesday, 18 October 2023, 2-3.30 pm Stroud
• Wednesday, 8 November 2023, 1-2.30 pm Cirencester

The deadline for applications is 19 November 2023; the training programme will start in Cirencester on 24 January 2024.

What will you do as an adviser?

• complete an introduction to Citizens Advice and a training programme for your role
• talk to clients over the phone, face to face or online to explore what problems they’ve come for help with
• find information about the clients’ problems and help them to understand their options
• support clients to take action to resolve their problems. This might include drafting or writing letters, making phone calls or referring the client to another organisation
• complete clear and accurate case records using our case recording system
• keep up to date on important issues by attending the appropriate training, by essential reading and attending volunteer meetings. 

What’s in it for you?

• make a real difference to people’s lives
• learn about a range of issues such as benefits, debt and employment
• build on valuable skills such as communication, listening and problem solving, and increase your employability
• work with a range of different people, independently and in a team
• have a positive impact in your community

And we’ll reimburse expenses too.

What do you need to have?

You don’t need specific qualifications or experience, but you’ll need to:

• be friendly and approachable
• be non-judgmental and respect views, values and cultures that are different to your own
• have good listening skills
• have excellent verbal and written communication skills
• have good maths skills
• have good IT skills and the ability to use email, Word and other applications
• be able to understand information and explain it to others
• be willing to learn about and follow the Citizens Advice aims, principles and policies, including confidentiality and data protection
• be willing to undertake intensive training for your role, and to keep up your skills through continuous learning