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► Citizen Advice Bureau - Newcastle

Newcastle Citizens Advice Bureau provides free, confidential and independent advice for people who live and work in the City. We rely heavily on our specially trained volunteers to provide this advice, and have around 85 volunteers actively involved in our work. All our volunteers need to be computer literate and have a good standard of English, both spoken and written.

Volunteer Roles

Gateway Assessors - provide advice assessment interviews over the phone and at face-to-face interviews with clients. They check what the client’s issues are, how urgent they may be, and the best way we can help. All assessors are trained in interviewing clients and in understanding the issues they face. We require a minimum of 2 hours from volunteers in each advice session.

Advisors - provide detailed advice and assistance to clients with their particular problems. This includes acting on behalf of the client, and liaising with other agencies such as the Department for Work and Pensions, local Councils and housing providers. A minimum of 3 months training is required, together with mentoring and supervision from staff or other experienced and fully trained volunteer advisors.

Social Policy Volunteers - collect information and research on particular issues facing our clients. These may be identified within the Bureau or as part of a national campaign organised by Citizens Advice centrally. On local issues, Social Policy volunteers investigate issues, arrange meetings with relevant agencies, and produce reports on their findings, with recommendations for improvements. Volunteers will develop skills in research, team work, and data analysis, together with report writing and campaigning.

Why Be A Newcastle CAB Volunteer?

1. Improve your employability – you can show a long term commitment to a local charity which makes a real difference to people’s lives

2. Become a real team player - working with our staff and volunteers you will help to ensure that every advice session runs smoothly, and that all our clients get the best possible advice

3. Develop your interpersonal skills - you will be communicating with a wide range of clients, many of whom may be upset and anxious, and may have physical disabilities, mental health problems, or language difficulties. You will need to demonstrate patience, empathy and listening skills to become an excellent communicator.

4. Improve your time-management skills - all our advice sessions are very busy, so you need to make the best use of the time available to ensure that we cope with the pressures on our services.