Volunteer Generalist Adviser

Our team of generalist advisers come from all walks of life, but here are a few things they have in common:

• Good Listeners
• Can read and write in English and have basic arithmetic skills
• Are comfortable using computers, online tools and the telephone, or are prepared to learn
• Are open minded and don't judge our clients or their circumstances
• Prefer regular volunteering and are able to offer an agreed number of hours each week (the days and hours are dependent on each individual)

Qualifications are not required as we have a tried and tested Adviser Training Programme, used by every Citizens Advice Bureau across Scotland. Bonus - once completed our advisers now gain and SCQF Level 6 qualification!

Volunteers are always supported at ever advice session, and they have the use of Citizens Advice Scotland's information system to undertake research for their clients. Therefore, you don't need to have a specific background or knowledge in specific areas, but if you do, that's great!

Some of the roles of a generalist adviser include:

• Interviewing clients, via telephone or in person
• Providing information from the information system
• Explaining the options and choices a client has, and what they mean for them
• Offering practical help to clients, such as, by making phone calls, helping them to complete forms, drafting emails and letters
• Using online tools and sometimes performing calculations to check entitlement to benefits
• Referring clients to other agencies, that might be of help to them
• Recording client information and summaries of information and help provided to clients on our CASTLE recording system; this is an electronic system
• Helping to prevent future problems by identifying issues that affect a range of clients; this is called social policy

If this sounds like something you would be interested in doing get in touch!

Equally if being a generalist adviser isn't for you, we have lots of other opportunities that might be better suited to yourself, you can always contact to find out more.