Citizens Advice Southampton are seeking passionate volunteers ready to support others and make a difference locally. Join us!
We’re on the hunt for individuals who like a challenge and who would like to make a tangible difference to their local community. Don’t worry, no prior experience is necessary and we will provide you with all the training that you need.
Our goal is to help everyone find a way forward, no matter what problem they face. Volunteers are the bloodline of our organisation and without them, none of this would be possible.
We continuously provide our volunteers with new opportunities to learn, to progress and to develop. Each day is a new experience, a new prospect and a chance to evolve. So, give it a go, who knows where this road might take you?
Click on our video to hear our Volunteer Coordinator, Paulina, share three reasons why you might want to volunteer with us at Citizens Advice Southampton
What our volunteers say
“Having arrived in the UK 30 years ago, I constantly referred to Citizens Advice information and am now proud to be a trainee volunteer. The service deals with people from all walks of life, with volunteers from all ethnic backgrounds, giving us a unique and collective cultural understanding that enables us to explain the options clearly and effectively to our diverse clients.”
“I have plenty of memorable moments of helping people. Often people just appreciate being able to tell their story and to be listened to.”
“It’s rewarding to help clients find the information they need to address the problem they are experiencing. By the end of the call or drop-in session with a client, we are always able to identify some options together.”
“Being part of a diverse team of trustees who work hard to guarantee the future of the charity for the benefit of our clients is an honour.”
“When I retired, I needed to do something to keep my mind active and help people at the same time so I volunteered for Citizens Advice. Some ten years later, I am still volunteering. It’s great to be part of a team which supports folks in their hour of need.”
Which role is for you?
Gateway Assessors and Advisers
Many of our volunteers help our clients online, over the phone and face to face, to explore the issues that they need help with and find the information they need to solve their problems.
A Gateway Assessor is typically the first point of contact for clients seeking advice or support. Their primary role is to assess the client’s needs, gathering basic information and identifying the issue(s) the client is facing. They help direct clients to the appropriate service or adviser, depending on the complexity of the case. They may provide basic information or assistance for straightforward queries but do not usually offer in-depth advice. They ensure that clients are routed to the right expert who can best assist with their particular issue.
An Adviser, on the other hand, provides more detailed advice and support to clients. After being referred by a Gateway Assessor, the Adviser will assess the client’s situation in-depth and offer tailored advice on how to resolve their issues. They have specialised knowledge in specific areas (e.g., benefits, housing, debt, employment law) and can provide detailed guidance, help with forms, or represent clients in certain situations. They can help clients understand their rights, explore options, and take action to solve their problems.
Gateway Assessor is the entry-level position if you want to become an adviser. After a year or so of volunteering as a Gateway Assessor, you can take further training to become a full adviser.
Information Assistants
Not all clients need advice – some just need help to find the right information. Our Information assistants provide exactly that, as well as contributing to the day to day running of the local Citizens Advice making sure that everything runs smoothly. This role involves welcoming clients face to face, answering the phone, filing, sorting post, and typing up information. They will be trained to provide, where appropriate, information such as details of other agencies, and to point out leaflets / fact sheets from the Citizens Advice website.
Trustees
Local Citizens Advice trustees are volunteers who use their skills, knowledge and experience to help guide and govern their local Citizens Advice. They work with the Chief Executive and other staff to shape strategy and give direction to the local Citizens Advice.
Research and Campaign Workers
Citizens Advice research and campaigns volunteers identify trends in the problems experienced by our clients, to see where policies and practices are negatively affecting our clients. Our volunteers may do research, such as client surveys, to find out more about the issues, and then organise a campaign to bring about change. This might be writing a press release for the local paper, writing to an elected official like a local councillor, holding a public awareness raising event, or using social media. Volunteers may also get involved in campaigns with national Citizens Advice, such as Universal Credit.
If you’re not sure what role would be best for you but know that you want to lend a hand, send us an application anyway. The first step after applying is to attend a virtual information session where we discuss Citizens Advice Southampton and volunteering with us in more depth, before asking you to complete an application form. We may be able to find other roles that may suit your interests and needs, such as around fundraising, one-off projects, or for work experience.
No prior experience is necessary for any of our roles as you’ll receive full training.