A few words of advice

on volunteering as an adviser

When problems seem unsurmountable and we don’t know where to begin, a few well chosen words of advice from someone we trust is sometimes all we need to get back on track again.

Being able to offer good advice requires much more than some knowledge about a subject. The best advice you can give will come at the end of a detailed process of communication in which good listening skills have played an essential part. Even then, no matter how good you are at listening, if the person needing advice doesn’t trust you, or feel comfortable with you, or can not sense a degree of compassion, they are unlikely to share the information you need in order to give good advice.

If you have good listening and communication skills, a professional and discreet manner, and can be objective, then you are well on your way to having the skills needed to take on a valuable adviser role with one of our local charities.

You will also need to be prepared for some in depth training.  Giving the wrong advice can be detrimental in any situation and training will prepare you to be able to deal with clients helpfully most of the time. 

During lockdown, Amy decided she wanted to take positive action to help others and chose a role where she would be able to offer valuable advice to those with difficulties in a structured way.  Amy joined Citizen’s Advice Bedford as a trainee adviser, and tells her story here:

"I decided to join Citizens Advice Bedford because during one of the many lockdowns I had the opportunity to look at what was important to me and how I wanted my future to look. I realised I was driven by helping others and during a difficult time when many felt completely powerless, I wanted to take some form of positive action rather than shouting at the TV about it! On a personal front, I had found myself completely lacking in confidence and feeling a bit lost after spending the last few years focussing on my family so wanted to push myself into taking a new challenge which was driven by my passions.

The application process was incredibly straightforward and very quick! I saw a post on a job advert site and sent off my CV without thinking much about it but then received a call to discuss my application and invite me to an interview via video call. Technology was not exactly on my side at the time, but the recruitment coordinator was really understanding which allowed me to relax into the interview and not stress quite as much. Every stage was clearly outlined, and I was always kept up to date with the process which was important to me as I do not like waiting around with no information!

For me, the training has been second to none and I have learnt so much about such a wide range of areas. Everything has been conducted via video calls using online learning and the training coordinator has been stellar at ensuring the workload was manageable and it was spaced out, allowing the flexibility to work around my family. I really appreciated that I was not simply given reams of information to learn but it was always explained exactly why it was relevant and how it would be applied to my role which made it a lot easier. I was worried I would feel isolated as I was completing all this work at home, but I was well supported and felt part of a team - plus those training calls were a welcome break from home-schooling!

I have loved many aspects of the role, especially being able to help others in their time of need, but personally I have loved the ethos the charity has towards to volunteers. Like many people, I had a spell of struggling with the mental impact of the last year and I was scared I would not be able to continue with my volunteering. When I nervously explained my situation, I thought I would be told I was no longer needed but the reality was the complete opposite. I was given the opportunity to take some time away for myself, offered support if I needed it and upon my return, I was able to change my work slightly to accommodate my needs. This gave me the confidence that even when times were difficult, I was a valued part of the service and not merely a faceless volunteer."

As the schools go back, people are settling into new routines, it is a perfect time to be thinking of taking on a new commitment to take you through the winter. So if you think you have got what it takes,  why not make enquiries now? 

Citizens Advice Bedford are currently looking for Volunteer Advisers and Money Advice Assistants who could spare 6-8 hrs per week. Full training will be provided. You can find out more about these roles at www.cabvolunteering.co.uk.

• Citizens Advice Bedford: Money Advice Assistant
• Citizens Advice Bedford: Adviser

Other advisor roles that you may like to consider –

• Money Advice at St Andrews, Bedford: Debt Adviser
• Carers in Bedfordshire, Bedford : Early Responder
• Disability Resource Centre, Dunstable: Advisor

If you need help using our online Simply Connect platform to register an interest in these roles, give us a call on 01234 354366 or email us at volunteering@cvsbeds.org.uk