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There are over 20,000 volunteers in the CAB service, but we
still need new volunteers every  year
to help us meet the demand for our service - see our FAQs below if you
are interested in joining us. With so many different roles available you
should be able to find a way to get involved.
You could:
- train as a volunteer adviser - we particularly need people
with language skills to help people for whom English is an additional
language
- train as a gateway assessor
- become a trustee board member, responsible for the running of the
bureau
- support the smooth running of a bureau as an office administrator
- help us campaign for change as a social policy campaigner gathering
evidence about clients' problems to change policies
- provide IT support
- organise fund raising for the bureau
- raise money for the bureau or help get issues covered in the local
media.
For more about what it’s like to volunteer for a CAB see our
very own volunteer’s blog or visit
National Citizens Advice site www.citizensadvice.org.uk/join-us
Interested in becoming a volunteer? If you would like to
discuss volunteering opportunities with us:
E-mail us at lstringer@barnetcab.org.uk
Please note that we receive a high volume of enquiries each
week and it may not be possible to answer your initial enquiry quickly;
we aim to respond within 3-4 weeks.
Also we can only consider applicants who live in the Barnet
borough. Please contact your local
bureau for volunteering opportunities if you live out of the
borough. We operate a waiting list
for both the adviser and gateway assessor training. You will only be placed on a waiting
list when we are in receipt of a fully completed application form that we
have sent to you following your initial enquiry. You will be invited to attend an
Introductory Day where you will be given full details of the training
opportunities available and our training programmes. You will also be expected to complete
diagnostic exercises at the Introductory Day testing your literacy,
numeracy, comprehension and communication abilities.
We will be updating our volunteer page in the next few
weeks, with details and role descriptions of all our volunteering
opportunities that are currently available.
Questions about volunteering: FAQs
Q. I can’t afford to volunteer
A. It is important to us that it doesn’t cost you any money to volunteer.
Therefore we will reimburse all of your reasonable expenses.
Q. I’m worried that I will lose my benefits
A. Volunteering will not affect your benefits provided you abide by the
usual regulations for that benefit. For example, it won't affect
Jobseeker's Allowance provided you
- take reasonable steps to find a job
- can be available for work for 40 hours each week
- inform the Job Centre/Jobcentre Plus that you are volunteering
- can attend interview within 48 hours and take up work within one week.
Q. I don't have the time
A. Our volunteer opportunities all need varying amounts of time, from
advisers who usually volunteer at least two sessions per week, to our
trustees who meet once every 2 months.
Q. I don't know anything about the law, how can I be an adviser?
A. Most of our advisers didn't when they started either. We will provide
you with the training you need and support you every step of the way.
Q. I don't have any skills to offer
A. The most important quality is wanting to be a CAB volunteer. There is
training available for most of our volunteering opportunities, so please
don't feel you have nothing to offer. CAB cares more about what kind of
people its volunteers are, not what they know before they start. So, are
you a good listener? Are you willing to learn, and enjoy helping others?
Q. I'm not sure I would fit as your 'typical' volunteer
A. Every CAB is committed to delivering a service regardless of age,
race, gender, disability or nationality. Moreover, every CAB strives to
reflect the community it represents. We therefore welcome all volunteers,
and will make decisions based only on a person's ability to perform a
role.
Q. Am I too old to volunteer?
A. There is no 'retirement age' in volunteering, we judge everyone on
their merits.
Q. Am I too young to volunteer?
A. There are no age limits except for:
- Advisers – the minimum age limit is 16
- Trustees – the minimum age limit is 18
Q. I have a disability, can I volunteer with you?
A. We encounter volunteers with a wide range of impairments or
disabilities, which impact on the level of support we need to offer, both
in terms of training and of working within the bureau.
It is therefore important that any needs are fully discussed
and explored at the earliest opportunity.
The range of potential support needs may include:
- the physical environment, such as space, computer
equipment, an induction loop, parking
- working practices, such as the provision of training packs in a
different format
- personal support such as the use of a sign interpreter, note taker or
reader.
Q. I've never volunteered before and not sure whether it's
right for me
A. Most of our volunteers had never volunteered before either. It is
important to us that you are happy volunteering at the bureau so we will
talk through with you what your role is, what our and your expectations
are and how we will support you. We will also provide you with a full
induction to make sure you feel part of the bureau team. Can you commit
yourself to a number of hours each week? If you answer 'Yes' you could
become a CAB volunteer.
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