Why volunteer with us?
Our core team is the beating heart of our service and the additional volunteers who have joined us are helping us to get fighting fit for the help people across the Ipswich area need a this time of shrinking budgets and rising prices.
We asked a couple of recent volunteer recruits how their training is going so far:
Q What made you want to volunteer with us?
“I think Citizens Advice provides a very necessary service and I thought my experience as a Social Worker would be useful.”
“There’s too much social injustice in the world.”
Q What were you most worried about before you started your training?
Our volunteers come from all types of work and life backgrounds. One volunteer answered that they were worried they wouldn’t be up to the job, and another said: “Having been in management for many years that I would have lost my ability to work with people face to face.”
Q Were these fears justified?
As their training progresses, volunteers find their feet at various rates. One answered that they were not sure yet but they are reasonably confident, and another said: “No, I find I really enjoy working with the people who come to Citizens Advice.”
Q How are you feeling about it now?
“I really enjoy working with the people who come to CA and the huge variety of issues. I learnt a lot from the training and the staff in the office are very helpful. I learn more every session that I do.”
Q If a friend asked you what it was like, what would you say?
These were some of the responses:
Interesting, intellectually stimulating, personally rewarding and very worthwhile. Also enjoyable.
Q Would you recommend it to them?
Of course, this depends on the person, said one volunteer, and another answered: “Definitely!”
If you would like to find out more about the volunteering roles we have at Citizens Advice Ipswich, email us at training@ipswichcab.org.uk