Volunteers clocked 19,000 hours at local Citizens Advice last year

Volunteers at the regional branch of Citizens Advice put in more than 19,000 hours last year, according to from the local charity.

Citizens Advice East Berkshire (CAEB), which serves Maidenhead, Slough, Windsor and surrounding areas has revealed that its volunteers gave more than 19,112 hours of their time to help make a difference to the people across these areas.

This comes as the charity continues to see ‘record demand’ for its services.

The new research found that the accumulated hours of volunteering time was worth more than £434,800.

Meanwhile the value of their work contributed more than £25,300 to the local economy as well as £35,500 to the NHS – bringing the total value of volunteering at the service to over £650,100.

Last year the charity saw ‘unprecedented demand’, supporting 6,013 people in East Berkshire. It can only do this work thanks to its 68-strong team of volunteers.

Nationally, 9 in 10 volunteers say that volunteering at Citizens Advice has given them a sense of purpose while 42 per cent say it boosts their confidence and mental health.

Citizens Advice was created during the Second World War. Volunteers ran the service, helping people with issues relating to the loss of ration books, homelessness and evacuation.

Eighty-five years later, volunteers ‘remain a crucial part of the charity.’

Citizens Advice East Berkshire is on the lookout for new recruits from all backgrounds who can give their time to help people struggling with energy prices, rising household bills, housing problems, debt and all kinds of issues.

The charity says no specific experience is necessary as full training will be provided.

Many volunteers include people getting back into work after career breaks; people with part-time jobs; students; carers; parents and people who’ve retired.

Callum Pirson, media and communications volunteer at CAEB, has volunteered for almost 12 years alongside his full-time job.

He said: “I volunteer for CAEB in my free time and at home, I started it to gain work experience on my CV to help me land a job after university.

“I enjoy working with such a friendly, nice bunch of people that help each other out, are supportive of each other.

“We are all working towards the same aim and goal of helping as many people in need as we can in our areas we cover.

“We are always striving to improve and do more, to help even more people in need.” 

As well as volunteers to offer advice to people in person, online or over the phone, there are opportunities for people to provide expertise such as administrative support, form-filling, fundraising, and as trustee company secretary.

See caeb.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer for more information.

Bill Feeney, interim CEO at CAEB said volunteers report enjoying working as a team, learning new skills or campaigning on issues close to their heart.

“The dedication and commitment volunteers show to helping make a difference, particularly when demand for our help is so high, is incredible,” he said. “We simply couldn’t do it without them.”