Volunteering Opportunities
Advice Centres
Can you help us to help others?
All sorts of people volunteer as Advice Centre advisers. Here are some of the things they have in common:
- Good listener
- Can work in a team
- Can read and write English, and do basic arithmetic
- Are open–minded and don’t judge people or their circumstances
- Enjoy helping all kinds of people
- Be prepared to commit around 4 hours each week
The role of an adviser is very varied. Some of the things advisers do in the Advice Bureau:
- Interview clients at the office, by phone or in person.
- Provide information from AdviserNet and other sources
- Explain the choices the client faces, and what these choices mean
- Offer practical help to clients by writing letters, making phone calls and helping fill in forms
- Perform calculations (for example, to assess entitlement to certain kinds of benefits)
- Refer clients to other agencies if they are better placed to help
- Keep records of all clients’ cases
A day in the life of a volunteer adviser.
I have been volunteering with GRA for the past 10 months and work 2 days per week and have become involved in working with both the general and welfare rights advisers in the Project. I enjoy working as part of a friendly team.
A typical day at GRA will involve meeting clients, dealing with telephone and email enquiries and writing up case notes. I receive regular training to assist me to advise clients on a wide range of issues.
Charity Shops
Do you have an eye for a bargain?
Do you enjoy friendly conversation and meeting new people?
We are currently looking for volunteers to help in our charity shops by helping and serving customers and sorting and pricing clothes and other items.
A day in the life of a charity shop volunteer.
Bargain Box is a retail shop and all goods are contributed from donors. I am amazed at the generosity of the people in North East Scotland. I work once a week in the shop and I have the chance to meet a lot of people because I work different days. Usually I prepare and price the goods before they are put in the front shop and I also operate the till. I feel I have gained confidence when talking with co-volunteers and customers. The ethos of the shop is to raise funds for the charity and to have fun.
If you are interested in any of these volunteering opportunities then please fill in our Volunteer Application form on the website, save it and email it back to us enquiries@gordonrural.org.uk or post it back to Lorna Cameron at Huntly Business Centre, Gordon Street, Huntly, Aberdeenshire, AB54 8FG or call 01466 793676 for a form and more information.
