Volunteers at Citizens Advice Swindon are providing advice and support for around 150 people per week in Swindon and the number of people needing their support continues to grow.
Giving something back to your community is just one reason to volunteer for an organisation that nationally is staffed by more than 23,000 volunteers. Volunteers at Citizens Advice Swindon receive full training and support in a range of subject areas. This includes subject specific training in benefits, debt, employment, housing, immigration and other legal matters, as well as interviewing, negotiation and customer service skills. This means that there is something for everyone who wants to learn new skills, develop existing ones or find a new challenge.
Tracey Ahilan, Citizens Advice Swindon’s Service Delivery Manager said ‘Our volunteers make a huge difference to people’s lives every day. From helping a family facing eviction to supporting somebody to claim the benefits they are entitled to because of a disability. No two days are the same but one thing every volunteer will tell you is that it is an incredibly rewarding way to get involved in your community’
Citizens Advice Swindon has three permanent offices in the town, Sanford House in the town centre, Cavendish Square and in Pinetrees Community Centre. People can access the service in person at one of the offices, by telephone or email and as a volunteer you can be involved in any one of those mediums.
Tracey continued ‘You could train as an adviser to help people directly solve the problems they face, put your customer service skills to use on reception or help out in the back office with numerous different administrative tasks. Volunteers make Citizens Advice the great organisation it is and we need more to help us keep up the good work that we do.’
If you would like more information about volunteering at the bureau please contact the Training Officer, Lucy MacIntosh on 01793 402106 or email trainer2@swindon.cabnet.org.uk
