VOLUNTEERING
OPPORTUNITIES
RECRUITING NOW
We have recently moved to new premises in Bideford. This means we
have new opportunities for people to join our team of enthusiastic and
dedicated volunteers who provide advice to individuals either over the
phone or face to face. We are recruiting now so volunteers can be trained
over the coming months. We also have opportunities for new volunteers in
our other offices, and for other roles such as administration. Please see
our Volunteering page and download and application form.
Our aims are to ensure that people do not suffer through lack of knowledge about their rights and responsibilities, lack of knowledge about the services and help available to them, or the inability to express their needs effectively The Citizens Advice service is the UK¹s largest advice provider, with nearly half of the population using our service at some point in their lives.
All our volunteer advisers are trained and supervised, whilst our specialist advisers have extensive experience in their particular areas.
We can provide free
information and advice on a wide range of subjects. These include
welfare benefits, employment, debt, housing, consumer issues, family and
relationship issues, legal help, discrimination, immigration, education
and health. Advisers recognise that one problem is often linked to
another so, rather than addressing a single issue, they look at a
client¹s situation holistically. This way, other potential problems can
be identified early or pre-empted, which prevents them escalating into
anything more serious.
We can calculate your entitlement to benefits, assist with the
completion of forms, correspond on your behalf and in some cases,
represent you at tribunal or in the county court. If you qualify for
Legal Aid, we can undertake home visits if you are housebound by virtue
of a disability, or see you in hospital or a residential/nursing home.
getting advice
Face to Face
– Drop in to any of our outlets (see opening hours) and you will be
offered a short appointment to determine if you can be helped immediately
or, if your issue is more complicated, you will be offered a further face
to face appointment.
Telephone – Advice from Devon Citizens Advice Bureau Adviceline is
available Monday to Friday 9.30am - 4.00pm. Callers will receive a short
telephone interview to determine if you can be helped immediately or, if
your issue is more complicated, you will be offered a further face to face
appointment.
Devon Citizens Advice Bureau Adviceline –
08444 111 444
Our phone lines are less busy after 2.00pm; please try to call us between
2.00pm and 4.00pm if you are able.
Internet
General Advice and fact sheet can be obtained at:
www.adviceguide.org.uk
Email – We are currently unable to offer advice via email.
It is helpful if you can bring any relevant paperwork to your interview -
for instance contracts, tenancy agreements or benefit letters, and a note
of any significant dates. Staff can also check clients¹ eligibility for
free legal aid.
Our advisers will try to help you with information and advice, whatever
your concerns. They may need some personal and financial details from you
in order to help, and all information is treated confidentially. The
Citizens Advice Bureau is an independent organisation and the service we
provide is free and impartial.
