Volunteering Vacancies

Our volunteers are a vital part of our charity and we are currently recruiting to expand our team.

If you would like to chat to us before applying for a volunteering role, please get in touch by email using our Volunteering Enquiry Form and we will respond to any queries you may have.

Citizens Advice Basingstoke is seeking a new Trustee to support the Board with overall governance and strategic direction.

We are a passionate and well-respected local charity providing free, independent and impartial advice to individuals and families in the Basingstoke area in need of help. We provide a vital resource for the community, supporting those who find themselves caught up in challenging circumstances around poverty, homelessness, employment, discrimination, relationships, family and more. The team also work hard to influence policymakers, in order to improve laws and practices and make a real difference to people’s lives.

We are keen to welcome people from all backgrounds to help us reflect the clients and local communities that we support. We are looking for somebody with a broad range of skills and experience, while a knowledge of Basingstoke communities would be particularly beneficial.

Trustees would need to be available to attend trustee board meetings eight times per year, (usually held on a midweek morning) and would enjoy the full support of the Trustees, CEO, staff and volunteer team.

Main duties and responsibilities

maintaining an awareness of the business of Citizens Advice Basingstoke
taking responsibility for own learning and development
regularly attending, preparing for and taking a full part in meetings
actively contributing to setting policy and strategic direction, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance
monitoring whether the service complies with its governing document, whether it meets Citizens Advice standards and how well the advice needs of the local community are being met
monitoring the financial position of Citizens Advice Basingstoke and ensuring that it operates within its means and objectives, and that there are clear lines of accountability for day-to-day financial management
supporting the development of the charity through participation in agreed projects
actively seeking to further the strategic objectives of Citizens Advice Basingstoke, and acting in the best interests of the office at all times
maintaining confidentiality about any sensitive/confidential information received in the course of duties as a trustee

Personal skills and qualities

effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion
willingness to gain knowledge of local needs and resources
commitment to the aims, principles and policies of the Citizens Advice service, including those relating to equal opportunities, independence and research and campaigns
willingness and ability to act in the best interests of Citizens Advice Basingstoke
ability to understand and accept responsibilities and liabilities as trustees and employers
willingness to participate in democratic process which develops Citizens Advice Basingstoke policies by area and nationally
understanding of financial accounts with the support of a treasurer
willingness and ability to learn, and to develop
ability to think creatively and strategically, and exercise good, independent judgement
ability to work effectively as a member of a team.

If you would like to find out more about joining the Citizens Advice Basingstoke Board of Trustees please get in touch on our volunteering enquiry form.

Please also click here to download our application form which should be completed and forwarded to advice@basingstokecab.org.uk

Thank you for your interest in Citizens Advice Basingstoke.

Job Title: Volunteer Adviser

Do you have some spare time on your hands and feel ready for a fresh challenge?

We are looking for volunteers to train as advisers in order to meet the growing demand for our services. You will be joining a friendly and efficient team who all want to help our clients find a way forward with the challenges they are facing.

You will need a friendly and outgoing manner, a can-do attitude and basic IT skills. Other than that, no prior experience is needed as full and comprehensive training will be provided. Our training usually takes place in small groups on a quarterly basis.

You’ll need be able to volunteer with us for at least one day a week (or two half days). We welcome diversity and people from all backgrounds.

Job Description

Responsible to: Advice Services Manager

Purpose of the role:

To help provide an effective and efficient advice service to members of the public
To help influence government and other organisations, by informing them of the effect of their actions on the lives of clients.

Main duties and responsibilities may include:

Interviewing clients, both face-to-face and on the telephone, letting the client explain their enquiry and helping the client to set priorities
Finding, interpreting and communicating the relevant information and exploring options and implications in order that the client can come to a decision
Acting, where necessary, on behalf of the client, negotiating, drafting or writing letters or making appropriate referrals
Completing clear and accurate case records
Recognising the root causes of problems and participating in taking appropriate action
Keeping up to date on important issues by attending the appropriate training and by essential reading
Attending Citizens Advice Basingstoke meetings

Personal skills:

A commitment to the aims and principles of the Citizens Advice service
Excellent communication skills
Open, approachable and flexible
Ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing
Ability to sift through information and extract what is relevant
Basic mathematical skills, including percentages
Respect for views, values and cultures that are different to their own
An understanding of why confidentiality is important
Being open to using computers on a regular basis
A positive attitude to self-development and assessment
Ability to work as part of a team
Ability to recognise their own limits and boundaries in the role.

Please note that initial training for the Adviser role takes place quarterly, usually over a 2 week period (approx) and is led by our Operations & Training Manager.

How to Apply:

Click here to download our application form

Job Title: Research & Campaigns Volunteer

Do you have some spare time on your hands and feel ready for a fresh challenge? We are seeking Research and Campaigns Volunteers to meet the growing demand for our services.

Our research and campaigns work aims to improve the policies and practices that unfairly affect people's lives. We use our experience, data, insights and research to advocate for change. It is a twin aim of our service. Your role will be to help coordinate, promote and be involved in all research and campaigns activities at Citizens Advice Basingstoke.

You’ll be joining a friendly team providing an efficient advice service that helps members of the public find a way forward with the challenges they are facing.

You will need a friendly and outgoing manner, a can-do attitude and basic IT skills. No prior experience is needed as full and comprehensive training will be provided. You’ll need be able to volunteer with us for at least one day a week (or two half days). We welcome diversity and people from all backgrounds.

Job Description and Person Specification

Responsible to: Advice Services Manager

Purpose of the role:

Help coordinate, promote and be involved in all research and campaigns activities at Citizens Advice Basingstoke.

Main duties and responsibilities include:

● Providing support and guidance to advisers on research and campaigns issues

● Encouraging advisers to highlight unfair issues to the local and national offices

● Keeping up to date with social policy issues. Monitoring trends and enquiries to identify issues for potential local or national research and campaigns work

● Networking with other people involved in research and campaigns work within Citizens Advice, locally, regionally and nationally

● Writing monthly reports for our team and quarterly reports for our trustee board. Contributing to the annual report

● Developing any local campaigns where appropriate, and helping to draft materials such as articles, letters or presentations which could be used to raise awareness of an issue or advocate for change