It's Student Volunteering Week!
Friday, February 23, 2018
As part of Student Volunteering Week we’re celebrating our student volunteers’ hard work and involvement here at Wyre Forest Citizens Advice.
I began volunteering here when I was a graduate. I was working nearly full-time at a position elsewhere and I wanted to join somewhere challenging and more meaningful. I had also not lived in the area long and wanted to contribute towards the community.
That’s when, after some internet browsing, I found Citizens Advice. It looked like everything I was after: challenging, meaningful, rewarding and always something to learn. Plus, it certainly looks good on a CV!
Alongside my job, I fitted in 2 half days a week and within a few weeks I was listening in to experienced advisers, fully immersed in the advice-giving process.
I learned that it’s not always what’s going on in the advice rooms, but outside. There were aspects just as important as advice such as campaigning, networking and training courses. Not to mention specialist advice from dedicated team upstairs! This gave me meaningful practical experience.
Current student volunteer Alison, who is doing her course through the Open University, says:
‘I am in my second year as a law student. I was looking to gain some practical legal experience and saw my local Citizens Advice Bureau was looking for volunteers. I have now been volunteering for 9 months and have gained so much knowledge and legal skills which I can relate back to my law studies.’
Alison is primarily a telephone adviser and is now seeing more face-to-face. She has also achieved gaining her Tier 1 Advice certificate.
If you or someone you know is studying law (or in higher education) click on the ‘Volunteering’ header of this website to find out more. You could gain valuable experience and meet experienced advisers!
