Choose Citizens Advice Basingstoke

Do you have some spare time and are you interested in helping others in your local community? Are you looking for a role that is fulfilling and rewarding?

Our volunteers are of all different ages and from all walks of life and they make an outstanding contribution to our charity. Through generously donating their time and expertise, the team makes a difference to people’s lives, helping them to get back on their feet and providing vital support for our communities across Basingstoke and the surrounding areas.

If you are looking for a challenge or wish to stay active, volunteering is a great way to develop new skills, meet lots of new people and make some good friends. It really is an excellent way to give back to the local community, while providing a huge confidence boost and improved wellbeing. Getting involved may also improve your employability and help with applications for university, further education and training applications.

Volunteer roles include advisers, receptionists, administrators, project workers, researchers, and fundraising ambassadors. Members of the Trustee Board are also volunteers.

Making a difference

Hear from our Adviser David, who tells us what volunteering means to him:

Want to find out a little more?

Please complete the Volunteer Enquiry Form with any questions you may have and we will get back to you asap.

Apply now!

Please complete our ‘Volunteer Application Form’ and we’ll be in touch to confirm convenient dates for assessment, induction and training.

Training

Free training and guidance is provided at a pace that suits you. Our volunteers are continually supported throughout their time with us. Volunteer Advisers receive specialist in-house training covering the latest rights and responsibilities for housing, benefits, debt, employment, consumer rights and much more. Our group training usually takes place quarterly, providing an opportunity for the group to get to know each another. Within approximately two months, our Volunteer Advisers are able to begin resolving client enquiries, with regular training ensuring that the team is kept up to date with the latest changes.

Thank you for everything you do

Our volunteers generously provide around 240 volunteer hours every week and we could not deliver our vital projects and services without their support.

Congratulations to Jane, Advice Session Supervisor, who has been volunteering with us for an outstanding 30 years.

"Volunteering is flexible, adaptable and fits in around family, caring and other commitments. You can instantly see the difference you make to people’s lives."

"We know that life is very difficult for people due to the cost of living crisis and we want to be those who ask for help. By donating some spare time, you can really make a difference to people’s lives."

"By volunteering for your local Citizens Advice, you will be playing an active part in improving the lives of local people as well as influencing national policies and services."

Find out more about volunteering at Citizens Advice

Hear from volunteers across the Citizens Advice network

A day in the life of a volunteer at Citizens Advice Basingstoke

I have been a volunteer generalist advisor for nearly 14 years and I currently work two days a week. On one of these days, I work from home, giving advice by phone or email for pre-booked appointments or taking calls as they come into our helpline.

The other day of the week, I have pre-booked appointments in the office with clients needing help.

I have been mentoring new trainees recently. This involves them sitting in on my appointments, with the client's permission, so that they get to experience advice in action. I also then sit in on a few of their initial appointments to give guidance and feedback.

Before an appointment with a client, I read the notes for their case and review relevant documents. I also research any advice that will be useful during the meeting. When the client arrives, we go through the background of their issue and discuss any updates to their circumstances. Following this, I can then look at advice and options from the Citizens Advice website and other trusted sites like gov.uk. Sometimes clients require a food voucher to be issued or a telephone call made to their utility provider, council, landlord or debt collector. Alternatively they may need help to write a letter or complete a form.

To help clients with debts, we require full financial details from which we can then provide options and help them to negotiate with creditors.

When I am taking calls from our helpline, I never know what the problem will be until the client begins chatting. Sometimes people really benefit from someone taking the time to listen to their problem, as much as they benefit from the advice or information we provide. Sometimes a client will need to have a further face-to-face meeting or a telephone appointment booked for more tailored help. I also take calls for other offices sometimes when the helpline is busy and forward the request to the relevant local office.

Clients often express how grateful and thankful they are for the advice and help that they have received.

Saryu, Volunteer Adviser, Citizens Advice Basingstoke