WHAT DOES BEING A CA VOLUNTARY A

The Citizens Advice (CAB) Service works to fulfil two aims:

To ensure that individuals do not suffer through lack of knowledge of their rights and responsibilities or of the services available to them, or through an inability to express their needs effectively.

And equally

To exercise a responsible influence on the development of social policies and services, both locally and nationally.

The advice given by bureau is free, independent, impartial and confidential. The Service is non-judgmental, offering assistance as appropriate to all callers. It aims to be equally accessible to everyone who seeks or needs its help, regardless of age, class, race, religion, gender, disability or sexuality. All advice workers, whether paid or volunteer, are professionally trained to provide an accurate, quality service and to be supportive to clients.

The CA Service works to:

Inform people about the law and how it affects them; about their rights and responsibilities; and about how they may be able to satisfy their needs.

Advise people on the options available to them and on the potential consequences of different courses of action

Support people as they consider and decide what to do, listening to their concerns and helping them move forward

Assist people in pursuing their chosen course of action by negotiation, representation and referral to other sources of help needed

Influence those responsible for policies and services by bringing to their notice the problems people experience and recommending changes.

Citizens Advice Bureaux deal with over six million enquiries a year, giving detailed information, advice and support to people on every subject. The majority of problems concern social security benefits, debt, employment, housing and the law.

There are currently nearly 700 main Bureaux in England and Wales and another 1090 places where CAB advice is available.

Over 22,000 trained volunteers work in the Bureaux, together with over 5000 paid staff including bureau managers and specialist advisers. In addition more than 4000 volunteers serve on bureau management committees. Together they provide the largest advice service in the world.

Each bureau is a separate charity managed by its own trustee board, and must meet membership quality standards in order to affiliate to the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux (Citizens Advice). Citizens Advice provides a range of services to support Bureaux in their work: these include the Information System, training, field support, quality audits, social policy, press and publicity, parliamentary liaison and information technology.

Local authorities remain the principle source of funding for Bureaux, but the proportion from other sources is rising and currently stands at more than 40 %

The CAB service aims to provide equal opportunities and fair treatment for all people applying to be volunteers and paid staff regardless of race, sex, disability, sexual identity or marital status.

The CA service in Gwynedd and South Anglesey began as a mobile service in 1973. As demand grew the first bureau office was opened in Bangor in 1975 and other bureau offices were established in the years following. All were initially independent bureau with their own management committee, but in January 1998 the bureau agreed to amalgamate under one management committee to form Gwynedd Citizens Advice Bureaux.

For the eighteen-month period up until 31 March 2004 CAB Gwynedd & De Ynys Môn CAB dealt with 24,020 enquiries.

CAB Gwynedd and De Ynys Môn CAB currently operates from four main service advice centers at Bangor, Caernarfon, Dolgellau and Pwllheli; an outreach base at Blaenau Ffestiniog Llanfairpwll and Tywyn Meirionnydd.

Specialist Services at the, Hergest Unit at Ysbyty Gwynedd, College Road and Abbey Road, Bangor, Probation Service Bangor and Dolgellau, Plas Brith Dolgellau, Cilan Pwllheli, Bron y Garth Hospital Penrhyndeudraeth.

CAB Gwynedd and De Ynys Môn CAB provides a dedicated bilingual Telephone and Appointment Service to residents across Gwynedd and De Ynys Môn, Monday to Friday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. CAB Gwynedd & De Ynys Môn CAB has a complement about 56 Volunteers.

It has 1 Chief Officer (full time), 1 Service Manager (full time), 3 Advice Session Supervisors I Office Manager (full time),1Office Administrator (part time),1Project Manager (full time), 4 Case Workers (2 full time and 2 part time), 1 Outreach & Recruitment Co-ordinator (part time) and 1 Housing Co-ordinator (part time).

A successful bid through the Welsh Council for Voluntary Action has enabled us to obtain Objective 1 Funding from the European Social Development Fund to fund the employment of Full Time Training Officer a Full Time Bureau Guidance Tutor and 1 Administration Worker for a period of three years commencing from July, 2005.

The service receives funding from Gwynedd Council, Ynys Môn County Council, Town and Community Councils, Legal Services Commission, North Wales Health Trust and SSAFA.

What support do I get?

Each bureau has a large range of information you can use. There are experienced bureau managers and workers to help, and full training is given. You are never left to cope on your own.

Training for new volunteers

All new advisers have to go through initial basic training. You will then work under supervision for a period of time.

In-Service Training

Continuous training of all types is encouraged throughout your time at the CA, in the form of training courses, advice centre sessions and self-study materials.

Do I get travel expenses?

It is CA policy that volunteers receive expenses for travel time incurred as per CAB Gwynedd & De Ynys Môn CAB policy.