Citizens Advice North Nottinghamshire says it needs volunteers now more than ever to help make a difference to local people during the continuing cost of living crisis. The local charity, based on Bridge Street in Worksop, at Retford Town Hall and at the Civic Centre in Mansfield, is launching an appeal for new recruits after supporting an unprecedented number of clients in the community in the past year. Common issues include soaring energy prices, rising household bills, debt, employment and housing concerns.
They welcome volunteers from all walks of life, and value diversity, promote equality and challenge discrimination. No experience is necessary as full training will be provided. Volunteers are often looking to gain valuable experience or to use their existing skills in new ways. Many want to have an impact in their community and find a sense of purpose in helping others. Volunteering can also help build confidence and support career development with a variety of learning opportunities. Scott, a volunteer adviser at Citizens Advice North Nottinghamshire who has volunteered for the past 12 months, said: “My role enables me to assist the community by listening, advising, and empowering clients to address their issues. Helping individuals find solutions to their problems has a direct impact on their quality of life, making this work incredibly meaningful. Every successful client interview feels incredibly rewarding, as it reinforces the positive impact I am making in someone’s life.
“This sense of purpose and accomplishment has been invaluable to my personal growth. I have greatly improved my social skills and consistent interaction with clients and other volunteers has allowed me to communicate more effectively and confidently. “Volunteering has reinforced my commitment to this work, and I look forward to further growth in the future.” Karen Whitlam, Chief Officer at Citizens Advice North Nottinghamshire, added: “Our volunteers are amazing! As a charity, we are so grateful for the time that our volunteers give freely to work through our training programme so that they can accurately advise and support local people. We are needing to expand our volunteer workforce to meet the increasing number of people asking for our help.
“We offer a variety of different roles, such as reception and administration, adviser, trustee, member of our Citizens Panel. If you’d like to join us, we’d love to hear from you.” Citizens Advice is looking for volunteers at their offices in Worksop, Mansfield and Retford. For further details, please contact Citizens Advice North Nottinghamshire on 0300 561 2800 or visit http://www.canns.org.uk/volunteer.