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Citizens Advice West Oxfordshire is looking for volunteers from all kinds of backgrounds to support local people with their problems. Issues might include debt, housing, benefit and employment problems. With the increase in the cost of living, the need for more volunteers to help people is vital.
The West Oxfordshire charity supported 8,823 people last year to help resolve their problems. Every week the charity gives free, independent and confidential advice from trained advisers.
Volunteers are often looking for new ways to gain valuable experience and enhance their skills, or to enjoy the opportunity to work with and meet different people. They find it rewarding to support local people and make a difference to their lives.
Right now, Citizens Advice West Oxfordshire is looking for volunteers to become advisers. This involves taking calls, responding to web chat, meeting clients face-to-face, and working with colleagues to provide the best support possible for people who contact us. Each adviser works with each client to understand their individual needs, then, with professional support from qualified and experienced supervisors, undertake research to find the best advice to give.
A comprehensive training programme will be given, with our next induction planned for early this autumn. Generally volunteers are asked to contribute at least 8 hours per week, which can be done flexibly either in the central Witney office, our HUB on Station Lane, Witney, or even from your own home.
To find out more and apply, contact training@citizensadvicewestoxon.org.uk
Citizens Advice volunteers come from all walks of life and choose to volunteer for a variety of reasons. They include students; people getting back into work after career breaks; people with part-time jobs; carers; and people who have retired. People simply need a desire to help.
Teresa Archer, Chief Officer at Citizens Advice West Oxfordshire said:
“Our wonderful volunteers are the heart of our service – the work we do to support people in the community simply would not be possible without them.
“As a volunteer, you’ll learn about a range of issues affecting local people, like debt, housing, benefits and employment. We provide all the training and support you’ll need to work with us to help people solve their problems.”
“It’s a challenging but highly rewarding role. If you’re keen to build on your skills and do something that really makes a difference, we’d love to hear from you.”
Tim, a volunteer at Citizens Advice West Oxfordshire said:
“I find that at Citizens Advice West Oxfordshire you get all the benefits of what you loved at work without any of the things that made Monday mornings such a hang-up. Like sales targets! And commuting! Now I personally get to do more of what I knew I should have been doing more of all along…like helping other people that aren’t as lucky as me. I’ve found it an enjoyable place to work with lots of interesting challenges along the way.”
To find out more and apply, contact training@citizensadvicewestoxon.org.uk