<div><p>Want to help your community? Why not become a Volunteer Generalist Adviser withCitizens Advice South Gloucestershire?</p><p>The rewarding role would involve training to help with a vast range of problems. These include but are not limited to benefits, debt, housing and employment.</p><p>The charity is particularly keen to encourage applications from people with a diverse range of backgrounds. This is especially the case for people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds who are currently under-represented.</p><p>The role would involve giving advice to clients both face-to-face and over the telephone.</p><h3>Main duties and responsibilities may include:</h3><ul><li>Interviewing clients, both face-to-face and on the telephone, letting the client explain their enquiry and helping the client to set priorities</li><li>Finding, interpreting and communicating the relevant information and exploring options and implications in order that the client can come to a decision</li><li>Acting, where necessary, on behalf of the client, negotiating, drafting or writing letters or making appropriate referrals</li><li>Completing clear and accurate case records</li><li>Recognising the root causes of problems and participating in taking appropriate action</li><li>Keeping up to date on important issues by attending the appropriate training and by essential reading</li><li>Attending team meetings</li></ul><h3>Personal skills and qualities needed to become a Volunteer Generalist Adviser:</h3><ul><li>A commitment to the aims and principles of the service</li><li>Excellent communication skills</li><li>Being open and approachable</li><li>Ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing</li><li>Ability to sift through information and extract what is relevant</li><li>Basic mathematical skills, including percentages</li><li>Respect for views, values and cultures that are different to their own</li><li>An understanding of why confidentiality is important</li><li>Being open to using computers on a regular basis</li><li>A positive attitude to self-development and assessment</li><li>Ability to work as part of a team</li><li>Ability to recognise their own limits and boundaries in the role</li><li>Good IT skills essential – ability to use websites/ databases/ research information</li></ul><p>Applicants should be IT competent and able to commit to two sessions per week for at least two years.</p><p>Training will be held over a full day – probably a Wednesday – each week starting in early 2027. There will be additional training time when new recruits can observe experienced advisers.</p><p>There will be opportunities to help out for a few sessions prior to training starting so that applicants can check the role is right for them.</p><p>To apply, please email Finance and Admin Manager Amanda Wood at bureau@sgloscab.cabnet.org.uk to ask for an application form.</p></div>