ALDERSHOT CAB   -   FARNBOROUGH CAB   -   HEATHLANDS CAB

 
We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds, whether for advice work, trustee board or administrative work.   The following answers some basic questions you may have about voluntary advice work, although you can also volunteer for admin work, or Trustee Board responsibilities.   We also run a "V-project" in partnership with Step by Step, specially to support and encourage young volunteers in a variety of roles.

The CAB relies upon voluntary advisers to deliver nearly all of our "front line" advice service to the public.   This means working on a huge variety of issues, both complex and simple, that clients consult us about every day.   Advisers work in teams, with support from colleagues.   There is a range of information and specialist support to enable you to deliver a quality service.

A minimum of 6 hours per week.   This can include evening appointments, follow up work, reading and writing up reports.   A single day may be preferred, or time can be spread over different "shifts".   We try to be as flexible as possible to allow for outside commitments.   A minimum of 6 training events or staff meetings should be attended over the course of a year.

All advisers must complete the national "CAB Certificate in General Advice Work" which is common to all CABx.   This is a combination of working through learning packs in your own time, tutorials in the bureau; observation; supervised interviews; practical exercises; and a 5 day course over a 3 week period, joining with trainees from other CABx in the area.   The training can be condensed into a short time, but on an average of a day per week, it takes approximately 6 months. After the basic training is completed, further "post basic" training is available on more complex subjects.   Ongoing training is provided for experienced workers to keep up to date, or to gain more in depth knowledge.

Our current training schedule is available under "In-House" on the main menu or by clicking here.

As CAB work has become more complex, the opportunities for specialisation have increased.   The sort of issues where we have ongoing cases, sometimes requiring representation, and more detailed knowledge of the law, include

• Benefits
• Money Advice
• Employment
• Housing

At Heathland CAB all the work is with clients with mental ill-health, so this is a different type of specialism, although the basic advice work and issues may be the same.   If you choose to specialise, it usually involves seeing a case through from beginning to end, which can offer more job satisfaction, and can lead to paid work.   "Generalist" advice suits others better, as it provides more variety and is less involved.

Here are some comments from existing voluntary advisers at the CAB:

As we provide full training, we do not ask for any formal qualifications or experience - although obviously any specialist knowledge will be well used.   What we do look for, however, are:

• Ability and willingness to work within the aims, principles and equal opportunities of the CAB service
• Good communication skills
• Ability to interact with and respect others
• Openness to new ideas and willingness to learn.

If you would like to volunteer then please complete the application form or to find out more about volunteering, then please contact the Bureau Manager by letter, telephone, fax or e-mail, the addresses are in the 'Contact Us' section.