Citizens Advice is looking for helpers

In the tenth anniversary of the Year of the Volunteer, Citizens Advice Bureau volunteers will contribute approximately 600,000 hours of voluntary work to their local communities throughout New Zealand. There are more than 2600 volunteers throughout the country, from all walks of life, and from more than 35 nationalities.

In Taupo¯ volunteers are retired civil servants, lawyers, accountants and teachers. Anyone committed to helping people is welcome as a volunteer.

Volunteers might be approached about any potential issues — trees, problems with neighbours, employment, housing and family issues, directions or someone needing documents signed by a JP or advice from a lawyer.

The ability of volunteers to untangle knotty issues and address each individual strand separately is a skill that comes from in depth training and ongoing support, said manager Anneke Dinnington.

“People are unaware of just how much ongoing training our volunteers do. They are incredibly dedicated.

“Our people have to know where to find any answer. They are also able to sit down with clients who have weighty and complex issues to make sure their situation gets properly addressed.”

Citizens Advice Bureaux New Zealand, of which CAB Taupo¯ is a member, places a huge emphasis on ongoing learning and development for volunteers.

They are supported with initial learning and ongoing training as they move from being observers to probationary interviewers to accredited interviewers.

Citizens Advice Bureau Taupo¯ is keen to hear from anyone in the community willing to share their skills or gain new experiences by volunteering.

“Volunteers really do make a difference in our community” said Anneke. Citizens Advice Bureaux are independent, confidential, no query is too big or too small — and advice is free.