Advice changes Lives

11:02am Friday 7th September 2007

Trafford Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) is calling for new volunteers who want to find out how Advice Changes Lives. This is the theme for Advice Week 2007 and as part of a week-long national campaign the local bureau is encouraging people to find out how their own lives can be changed as well as changing other peoples' lives.

CAB is very active providing vital advice and information in the community of Trafford. Last year, Citizens Advice Trafford solved 5000 problems and campaigned on Tenancy Deposits and Bailiffs.

Over 60 people already volunteer for CAB in Trafford and applications from people from all backgrounds and ages are welcome, whether you're a parent returning to work, college student, unemployed, or in between jobs or retiring.

Volunteering can be immensely rewarding and there are many opportunities available, ranging from campaigning, marketing, researching and trustee roles, along with advising clients. Nearly one third of the volunteers who leave the service go on to full-time education or employment, and volunteers do not lose their job seekers allowance while volunteering. Many volunteers have found a career with bureaux as paid workers.

Dave Qualter district manager of Trafford CAB said, "This is not your average volunteer experience. Our staff will train our new volunteers in how to affect change - whether in a client's life or in spreading the word in local schools or in making sure the media know what the CAB service really does. It can be a simple as telling people what their consumer rights are, to finding housing for a single parent in a crisis. Advice giving is an essential part of community life."

Volunteer Judith says "I joined CAB because I am interested in people and their problems and hope that I can do something to assist them in sorting them out. I have always been involved in the community both in my professional and personal life and it's hard to imagine myself not being involved one way or another".

For more information contact: Ann or Nicola on 912 3753

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