There are over 16,000 volunteers in the CAB service, but we still need new volunteers every year to help us meet the demand for advice.
We have opportunities for people to train as volunteer advisers, trustees, administrators, social policy campaigners and more. With so many different roles available you should be able to find a way to get involved. Find out more about what is in it for you if you join the world's largest advice network.
You could train as a volunteer adviser - we particularly need people with language skills to help people for whom English is an additional language; become a trustee board member, responsible for the running of the bureau; support the smooth running of a bureau as an administrator or receptionist; help us campaign for change as a social policy campaigner, gathering evidence about clients' problems to change policies; provide IT support; fundraise for the bureau or help get issues covered in the local media.
Read more, below, about what each role entails:
Being an adviser is a very varied role. As an adviser you will:
You do not need any particular qualifications or experience to train as an adviser. All sorts of people are CAB advisers. You need to:
Support every step of the way
Advisers do not need to know it all! We provide all trainee advisers
with a comprehensive accredited training programme that will give
you the skills you need to deliver a high quality service to
clients. Our up-to-the-minute electronic information system contains
most of the information you will need when advising clients.
You will not be left alone after you are trained. There will always be a more experienced adviser, who will give you support, advice and guidance.
All advisers are insured by CAB in case mistakes are made.
Once you have qualified as a Generalist Adviser, you will have the opportunity to develop further skills and increase the depth and breadth of your knowledge.
Administrators ensure that bureau systems run smoothly. Good support is essential for the running of any organisation, and CAB is no different. There are many different administrative roles - we can match your skills and time available to the bureau's needs. Tasks may include:
Campaigners, or Social Policy Co-ordinators, use information from problems brought to the bureau, by clients, to help bring about real change, by influencing local and national policy. This is a flexible role, which can sometimes be partly carried out away from the bureau and outside opening hours. It can involve:
For a bit more information on our social policy work, please visit the Campaigns section.
Contrary to popular belief, the Citizens Advice service is not a
government agency. In line with other bureaux, Peterborough CAB is a
registered charity. As such, we are always seeking funds and people
to help us to do so.
For the role of fundraiser we require certain attributes - someone
who is enthusiastic, sociable, outgoing and able to make the most of
their own contacts or the contacts of people connected with the
bureau.
In addition, we are looking for experience in areas like funder
research, writing bids, sharpening up applications and planning
fundraising events.
If this is a role that interests you and you think that you have
something to offer, please get in touch.
The Citizens Advice service is increasingly taking advantage of developments in IT. As an IT support volunteer you may be involved in a variety of areas, depending on your skills and the time you have available, for example:
Receptionists are the public face of the CAB. They are the main link between the public and the bureau. This role would suit people who are methodical, organised and patient. As a receptionist, you would:
All Citizens Advice Bureaux are independent charities, governed by their own board of trustees, who are ultimately responsible for the quality and range of the service. Day-to-day control is delegated to the bureau manager, but trustees:
Bureau trustee boards need people from all sections of the community with a wide range of different skills, experience and perspectives.
Trustee boards tend to meet in the evenings, making this a flexible role, which trustees often fit around a full-time job. A full induction into the trustee board's role and responsibilities will be provided.
Adviser
Administrator
Campaigner
Fundraiser
IT support co-ordinator
Receptionist
Trustee board member
Download our
volunteer application form
N.B. If you are applying to become an
adviser, please read these
notes
first.