Giving Help: Why Volunteer?

... learn new skills and develop existing ones while helping people and making a real difference in the community

November 13, 2004

All sorts of people volunteer for many different reasons, but one thing that unites them all is that they find it challenging, rewarding and varied.

Volunteering provides an opportunity to learn new skills and to develop existing ones:

CAB adviser training is accredited by the Open College Network, and is respected and valued throughout the advice sector
Each role will enable you to develop specific expertise. For example, you might improve your IT and organizational skills as an administrator, or learn how to deal with the media and develop research skills as a campaigner.
In any role, you will develop your skills in a number of valuable areas, like communication and dealing with the public, as well as increasing your self-confidence through practical hands-on experience.

It's also a chance to put the skills and expertise you already have to good use helping others. We need people of all ages and backgrounds.

For many people, the best thing about the volunteering for the CAB is getting to meet a wide range of people and make new friends. There is a real 'team spirit' at the CAB, and we provide a supportive environment to make sure that you get the most out of your time with us.

Some roles are more flexible than others. We'll do our best to find a role for you that fits in with our interests, and we'll be as flexible as possible in enabling you to volunteer at the times that suit you best.

You may find that the CAB deals with issues close to your heart. For example, more people from black and minority ethnic communities cited the CAB as their first port of call when seeking advice on discrimination than any other agency (Commission for Racial Equity survey, 1999), and in 2001-02 we ran a major anti-racism campaign.

Above all, it's a chance to make a real difference. By volunteering for the CAB, you'll be playing an active part in improving the lives of millions of people and influencing the development of national and local policies and services.

And you won't be out-of-pocket - CAB will cover any travel costs incurred by volunteering. Some bureaus are also able to pay for other expenses, such as child care costs.

Isn't it time you gave yourself a new challenge?

You can help make a real difference to people in your community
Click here start helping people today

The CAB is committed to equal opportunities for everyone. We actively welcome volunteers of all ages from a wide range of different backgrounds. We have a national staff and volunteer support groups for black and disabled people, women, lesbians, gay men and bisexuals.

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