Volunteers required for busy drop in sessions and appointments.

Greater Pollok Citizens Advice Bureau
VO104161

Greater Pollok Citizens Advice Bureau is a local, independent charity which provides free, impartial and confidential advice and information to give individuals the tools they need to sort out any issues or problems. We’re at the heart of the community and offer several services, including: Benefits, Work, Debt and Money, Consumer, Family and Housing.

We are currently looking for volunteer advisors to assist with our busy drop-in sessions and appointments. This role involves undertaking and completing the Adviser Training Programme online in your own time. This covers the areas of information and advice we cover, and includes: Welfare Benefits; Debt; Housing and Immigration. The theory is supported by the practice in the Bureau which involves shadowing experienced advisers in the Bureau with client interviews , and progressing to leading interviews. The volunteers are supported at all times with their practice in the Bureau by a Support Worker who manages the shift and is there to provide support with all client inquiries.

Volunteer Adviser Role:

Main duties:

• Interview clients – listen to the client and let the client explain the problem. Help the client to clarify the issues by exploring the problem and asking questions.

• Give information – use AdviserNet and reference books to find out the correct information.

• Give advice – explain the information to the client and the choices that the client has, so he/she can decide what to do.

• Give practical help – for example filling in forms, doing a benefit calculation, speaking or writing to another agency on behalf of a client.

• Record cases – make a record of the client’s details so that further help can be given if a client returns to the CAB.

We require a 6 month minimum commitment as it can take this long to become a fully tarined advisor. We also require that you commit to 8 hours per week, shift pattern as follows:

Morning shift : 9.00am to 12.30pm

Afternoon shift: 12.30pm to 5pm

Experience required

Please be aware that an essential skill that advisers must have is the ability to communicate well in English with a wide variety of clients in an effective and impartial way. A good standard of written, spoken and computer literacy skills is therefore called for.

Travel details

Greater Pollok Citizens Advice Bureau is located within
Pollok Civic Realm.

If arriving by Public Transport:
Easily accessible via local buses serving Silverburn Shopping Centre and Cowglen Road. The nearest train stations are Pollokshaws West and Mosspark, with onward bus or walking connections.

If arriving By Car:
Located just off the M77 (Junctions 2 or 3), with parking available at the Civic Realm and nearby Silverburn Shopping Centre.

Accessibility:
Fully accessible building with step-free access and nearby disabled parking.