Volunteers play a key role in our charity
We are recruiting new volunteers for 2024!
To view some of our frequently asked questions (FAQ) please follow the link – https://www.dunstablecab.org.uk/get-involved/volunteers/
It’s wonderful that you’re considering volunteering at Citizens Advice Dunstable. If you’ve come to this page you’re probably wondering what we can offer you and what you’d like to do.
All sorts of people volunteer with us for many different reasons, but one thing that our volunteers tell us is that volunteering with Citizens Advice is enjoyable, rewarding and varied.
Volunteering with Citizens Advice Dunstable is a great way to pick up skills, make friends and feel part of an enthusiastic team. It can be hugely rewarding.
We are committed to equality of opportunity, and offer a warm welcome to every volunteer, whatever their background.
At Citizens Advice, we particularly welcome volunteers and staff who have disability, mental health, neurodiversity, LGBTQI, as well as people who are of every ethnicity. We support many people to volunteer who are retired, or have disabilities. We are ultimately committed to serving all of our communities in Central Bedfordshire and ensuring our staff and volunteers represent those communities. We celebrate our cultural differences, and give people the freedom to authentically express their religion, cultures, personalities and creativity at work. Uniqueness is powerful, we want our beneficiaries, staff and volunteers to be themselves.
We are recruiting VOLUNTEERS for 2024 to help deliver face to face, telephone and email advice and also VOLUNTEERS to join our Board of Directors, please read below.
Do you have some spare time? Do you want to gain valuable and fulfilling work experience? Would you like to give back to your local community?
If so, why not volunteer with us at Dunstable & District Citizens Advice?
Internal volunteering vacancies
- Telephone Advisers
- Email Advisers
- Receptionists
- Fundraising Volunteers
External volunteering vacancies
- Trustees to join our Board of Directors
- Members to sit on our Board of Directors
Free in-depth training given to all new recruits within all advice areas. For further information, or to arrange an informal discussion with our Training Coordinator, please contact us:
training@dunstable.cabnet.org.uk
Reception Line: 01582 670003
www.dunstablecab.org.uk
We are now recruiting Trustees to join our Board of Directors.
External volunteering vacancies:
- Trustees to join our Board of Directors
- Members to sit on our Board of Directors
Frequently asked questions
Last year 25 volunteers and 8 members of staff helped over 2,744 people in Dunstable and the surrounding areas with over 9,216 different issues, and demand for their advice and support, is greater than ever.
If you’re interested in joining us as a Trustee, we have put together some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) which we hope will be helpful. If you would like to know more, please get in touch with Judy Atkinson, Chief Officer chiefofficer@dunstable.cabnet.org.uk or phoning 01582 670003
So what is a Trustee?
In simple terms, we oversee and support the day to day work of the Chief Officer and her team, a bit like being a school governor. Trustees are members of the ‘Board’. The Board provides strategic leadership, ensuring our statutory duties are met, making sure our funding is put to good use and we meet the advice needs of our local communities.
Like other Citizens Advice offices around the UK, we are an independent charity and are members of Citizens Advice nationally.
What is the benefit to me?
As a Trustee you will be supporting the vital work of ‘advice and guidance giving’ to people belonging to our local communities. It is interesting and rewarding; also an opportunity to gain useful experience which might be helpful for your own career progression.
Do you get paid?
No, as Trustees we are all volunteers. If we incur any expenses in our work (e.g. travelling to a meeting or training event) the costs can be reimbursed so nobody is out-of-pocket.
What is the time commitment?
We normally meet five to six times a year and each meeting lasts 2-3 hours. We generally meet late afternoon but this can be flexible.
Trustees generally take an interest, or responsibility, for some aspect of our work and this can add extra time (maybe 1-2 days a month) but there’s no ‘hard and fast’ rule.
What skills or qualifications are needed?
There’s nothing specific, although all Trustees need to have an empathy and support the work of Citizens Advice, along with our responsibilities.
We are particularly hoping to hear from local people. If you have an interest in our work or particular skills such as financial, legal, human resources or an understanding of disadvantaged groups, please get in touch.
At the time of writing, the current Trustees are all of retirement age and we would be delighted to welcome a more mixed age group of new Trustees!
What training is available?
One of our existing Trustees will support you through an induction process and you will have the opportunity to shadow some of our advisers to see the work being carried out. You will also be invited to a Board meeting to get a feel for how we work.
Is there any ‘small print’?
Trustees are also Directors of the charity and we check any prospective Trustees aren’t disqualified by Companies House. Other than that, there’s nothing to worry about.
Who are the existing Trustees?
Ian Coulter, Chair of the Board, a local business owner, having lived in Dunstable for 30 years and has been with us for 20 years. Ian serves as a trustee with two other local charities and is a member of the Rotary Club.
John Kane, Vice Chair of the Board and Mentor to new Trustees lived in the Dunstable area for 44 years. Director of several companies, CBC and Dunstable Town Councillor. Areas of expertise IT, Sales and Marketing.
Peter Syred is an Automotive Design Engineer, enjoys socialising, the theatre and watching fish in his pond.
Carol Brennan is a retired Chartered Accountant, 10 years service with Slip End Parish Council, member of the Good Neighbours scheme in Slip End and help out at the Warm Hub.
Sue Thorne is a Houghton Regis Town Councillor until May 2023 and a Councillor Rep on Dial-A-Ride and Houghton Regis Memorial Hall.
Jill Watson has 20 year+ experience in primary education with the majority her recent career as a senior leader. Jill lives locally with her family and enjoys watersports and other outdoor pursuits to keep well and active.
William Morris is a local property management business owner, who helps benefit claimants access the private rented sector. He has lived in the Dunstable area for the last 15 years and is also a member of the Rotary Club.
For more information about the Trustee role please contact our Chief Officer via email: admin@dunstable.cabnet.org.uk or call: Reception Line: 01582 670003 and ask for the Chief Officer.
