Join Us
Citizens Advice East End encourages opportunities for volunteering from the diverse local community. We recognise the value of a wide range of skills and experiences and believe that they enhance our team.
Find out more about Citizens Advice.
Join our trustee board
We are not currently looking to recruit trustees.
Paid work opportunities
We are not currently looking to recruit paid staff.
Volunteer opportunities
Citizens Advice East End encourages volunteers from the diverse local community. We recognise the value of a wide range of skills & experiences and believe that they enhance our team.
We aim to train volunteers to support our advice & information services in the London Boroughs of Hackney, Newham and Tower Hamlets.
What we can offer you:
- Quality induction training, support and transferable skills, knowledge & experience.
- Enhance and improve your digital, communication and organisational skills
What you can offer us:
- Your time and enthusiasm
- A willingness to learn and develop
- Contribute to helping and assisting our clients with the problems they face.
Volunteer roles
We have opportunities for volunteer placements in the following roles:
Client Services Support
- Undertake the reception role as the first point of contact for clients by telephone and face to face
- Help to support services with clerical and administrative tasks
- Assist the clients’ journey by providing information and booking appointments
- Provide administrative support to paid staff and volunteers
Adviser
- Trainee advisers assist with service delivery by engaging with reception duties, undertaking telephone call backs, assisting clients with form filling and checking benefits entitlements
- Trainee advisers then interview clients at a pre booked appointments about their problems in the main enquiry areas of Debt, Welfare Benefits, Housing, Employment, Immigration, Consumer, and Family & Personal
- Advisers provide in-depth advice, negotiation and advocacy on behalf of clients. They act on behalf of the client where necessary, negotiating with third parties on the telephone, drafting and writing letters
IT Support
- Our IT Support volunteers assist our IT Manager to maintain our IT systems and to resolve IT support issues
- They gain experience working with networks, maintaining and upgrading PC’s, troubleshooting IT problems and maintaining our website under the supervision of the IT Manager
- Good customer service and IT skills as well as the ability to communicate effectively are necessary in this role
Research and Campaigns/Fundraising Support
- For every case that comes to the bureau a case record is completed. This enables everybody to see what problems are dealt with in the office
- Our Research and Campaigners/Fundraisers identify common issues and trends which are then communicated to internal and external stakeholders to raise awareness, campaign for change and assist in our fundraising activities.
- Tasks include: data collection and manipulation, writing letters, building up a media file of local problems, attending Research and Campaigns meetings, raising awareness of issues, assisting with Social Media posts and assisting in fundraising activities.
What do we expect from you?
The minimum expectation/commitment to these roles is 2 days (14 hours) per week for 6 months and 12 months to qualify as a certificated Adviser.
We ask that you can demonstrate an interest in and commitment to the work of Citizens Advice, can work within our policies and procedures and are enthusiastic and willing to learn.
You need to be literate and numerate; be able to communicate clearly and courteously on the telephone and in person; to have IT skills; and an ability to multi task and of meeting deadlines.
You also need to maintain confidentiality and discretion, to approach all clients without prejudice or bias with patience and sensitivity.
The recruitment process consists of completing an application form to demonstrate your commitment and suitability to be trained as Citizens Advice East End work placement/volunteer.
Shortlisted candidates are invited for a selection interview to demonstrate their suitability for the placement, IT and communication skills.
Recruitment, selection and induction are currently carried out remotely using Microsoft Teams.
Initial training is online and takes about 4 weeks before volunteers start attending our offices.
How to apply
Interested? To find out more and request an application form, email [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!
If your application shows that you are suitable to be a volunteer with us, we’ll invite you to an interview.
If you are successful, we’ll give you full training about Citizens Advice, and for your particular role as a volunteer.