Volunteer Initial Check

As a volunteer you will:

• complete an introduction to Citizens Advice and training for your role
• talk to clients over the phone, face to face, or online to explore what problems they’ve come for help with and identify the right level of support for them
• write a summary of the clients’ problems and what action you’ve taken
• look out for problems’ that are common, or are unfair, and write a short report about the problem or a letter to an elected official like an MP, AM or local councillor

##Some examples of what you could do##:

• find information online about applying for a benefit and show the client where they can access this for themselves
• book an appointment for the client to see a debt adviser to discuss the money they owe to landlord and energy company
• call the local mental health organisation to book an appointment for the client

• make a real difference to people’s lives by making sure that clients receive the right support for them
• learn about a range of issues such as benefits, debt, employment and housing.
• build on valuable skills such as communication, listening and questioning
• 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. If you're a law student and you train as a Citizens Advice adviser, you can get up to six months off your solicitor training contract!

• 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 and IT skills
• be able to understand information and explain it to others
• be able to keep calm under pressure
• 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