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► Citizen Advice Bureau - Gateshead

What: The Citizen Advice Bureau provides free, independent community legal advice for people who live or work in Gateshead.

Volunteer Roles:

1. Gateway Assessor

Duties: Provide assessment interviews over the phone and face-to-face. We are breaking down the barriers people face to the get the help that is very much needed. After training you will gain experience interviewing clients and developing an understanding of the issues people face and how they can get help to the issues that they have. The time required is a minimum of 2-hours given in a session between 10am-4pm Mon-Fri. An online booking system will allow each volunteer to give book the 2 hour session they intend to give. This allows those with time pressures to manage their commitments easier.

2. Fundraiser

Duties: To assist the Fundraising team with grant applications and enterprise activities to generate additional income to support the charitable work of the Citizens Advice Bureau in Gateshead. Recently the CAB has established a not for profit Social enterprise to develop further income generating opportunities. Current activities include renting office space and a conference room with catering facilities. The opportunity would suit those with business ideas and enthusiasm to develop a much valued community resource.

3. Social Policy Project Worker

Duties: To join the Social Policy team at Gateshead Citizens Advice Bureau. Meetings are once per month on a Friday Morning. The role will allow you to lead on an issue either identified by the Bureau or to contribute to a nationally organized campaign. Where there is an identified local issue it will be up to you with guidance from other members of the group investigate an issue, arrange meetings with external parties and ultimately produce a report on what you have done and found with recommendations for action that might need to be taken. Action could include publicity or joining up with other Bureaus. This role will directly contribute to developing skills in research, team work and will give you responsibility.

Skills/benefits/experience:

1. Improve your employability through showing a long term commitment to a community cause

2. Demonstrate team working and cooperation to future employers by volunteering your time working with our diverse staff and volunteers.

3. Develop your interpersonal skills through communicating with our wide range of clients developing patience and clarity in communication.

4. Improve and evidence you time-management skills through interacting with our clients and directing the course of the interview according to time available and service pressures.

5. Opportunity to further illustrate commitment by developing your interest beyond the Assessor role to include perhaps help with Social Policy or becoming a Trainer for future new starters.