North Liverpool Citizens Advice Bureau

Volunteering with North Liverpool CAB

Volunteering and the CAB Service

With 2000 outlets, the CAB Service is the largest advice-giving network in the UK. Nationally, 90% of CAB workers - 22,000 people - are volunteers. North Liverpool CAB's offices in Anfield, Norris Green and outreaches in Walton currently has approximately 50 volunteers. Our clients and volunteers come from all walks of life. We are committed to providing an independent advice service and volunteering opportunities to the whole community. It's important to note that while we provide free, impartial, confidential and independent advice the CAB Service also campaigns for its clients. Recent national campaigns have included those around maternity and paternity rights, disability discrimination, charges for health and school uniform costs. Locally, North Liverpool CAB has contributed to these national campaigns and also campaigns on local issues.

What Do Volunteers Do?

The role of advisers within CABx is well-known, but we also have volunteer administrators and Management Board members.

Advisers:

Being an adviser is a varied role. Advisers will:

• Interview clients at drop-in sessions and appointments in the bureau, over the phone and at outreach sessions
• Give Information from the CAB electronic information system and other sources
• Give advice in explaining the choices and consequences the client faces
• Give practical help by writing letters, making phone calls, completing forms, doing calculations and even representing clients at tribunals

Administrators:

Administrators ensure the bureau runs smoothly. Some of the more common tasks that administrators do includes maintaining and developing administrative systems, using spreadsheets, databases and word processing packages and receiving and sending faxes, mail, email and phone calls.

Management Board Members:

North Liverpool is an independent charity governed by a Management Board who are ultimately responsible for the quality and range of the advice service that we provide. We need our Management Board to reflect the local community and have a wide range of skills, experience and perspectives. While volunteer advisers primarily work in the day, Management Board Members attend meetings that are mainly in the evening. Paid workers have responsibility for the day-to-day running of the bureau, but Management Board Members will:

• Set the overall direction and support the development of the bureau
• Ensure the bureau meets the needs of the local community and the Citizens Advice membership standards
• Ensure the bureau complies with relevant laws

Why Volunteer for Us?

Whatever the reason you choose to volunteer with North Liverpool CAB you will find it challenging, rewarding and varied. In addition, we offer the following:

• Training that is accredited and respected within the advice sector
• The ability to develop specific skills and expertise. For example advisers might specialise in particular areas such as housing, debt or welfare rights and administrators might improve their IT skills
• We provide travel expenses

• Support at every stage and continuous opportunities for training and learning

Many of our volunteers gain paid employment in the advice sector or associated work. Others go into higher education.

Volunteering with us also gives you the chance to make a real difference. You will be helping to improve the lives of people locally and influencing policies on a local and national level.

As well as dealing with serious and worthwhile issues that might be close to your heart volunteering with North Liverpool CAB offers the chance to meet a wide range of people and make new friends. There is a strong team spirit and we provide a supportive environment to all our volunteers at each of our offices. Throughout the year there are also a number of social and/or fundraising events.

What Should I do Next?

If you want to become a volunteer with North Liverpool CAB or find out more about volunteering with us, you should contact Nick McLaughlin or Pat Breslin and request a volunteer application pack. You can contact them by:

Alternatively, download a volunteer application form to print then post to us.