CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAUX APPEAL FOR ETHNIC VOLUNTEERS
(6 September 2004)

Citizens Advice Bureaux across the UK today issued an appeal for more people from black and minority ethnic communities to give up their time to help the problem-solving charity serve the local community. The volunteer recruitment drive is being held as part of Advice Week 2004 and comes as the latest figures on the number of people from black and minority ethnic communities working as volunteers in the Citizens Advice service are released. The new figures show that in 2003-4, of a total of 21,000 volunteers in England and Wales, an average of 7% were from black and minority ethnic groups.

In some regions, this figure is higher - in London, almost a third of volunteers were from black and minority ethnic groups, while in the midlands, north and north west of the country it was one in 10. Azad Khaleel, a volunteer trustee for Citizens Advice London region, said: “I really enjoy volunteering for the CAB. The work is very rewarding, exciting and has given me plenty of good experience. The CAB is a fabulous place to be because the people are genuinely committed to fair treatment for all regardless of skin colour.”

Citizens Advice is one of the largest voluntary organisations with volunteers coming from all manner of places including students, working mothers, long-term unemployed and retired people, all offering valuable skills and services. They work in a variety of roles across the service, the majority as trained generalist advisers with others offering IT skills and admin assistance and as trustees. Many bureaux require volunteers with language skills or people to train as advisers who have a high understanding of the needs of black and minority ethnic groups.

The Friends of Citizens Advice Bureaux Trust, a grant-making charity that supports the work of bureaux, offers grants for interpreter courses for volunteers who want to make use of their language skills.

Citizens Advice Chief Executive David Harker said: “Our latest figures show that an amazing 21,000 people have made a difference to the lives of people living and working in their communities through their efforts as volunteers. Of those, many are people from black and minority ethnic communities. They want to develop their skills, get more fulfilment from their lives and play their part in a vital local charity. They can really make a positive impact on our service.

“The Citizens Advice service simply could not do without the people who give up their time and energy to help out. If you feel you could contribute something, we’d love to hear from you.”

Advice Week 2004 runs from 6-12 September and is organised by Citizens Advice - the national umbrella organisation for Citizens Advice Bureaux - as a celebration of the work of the service and to attract volunteers. This year, Advice Week marks the 65th anniversary of the Citizens Advice service. The first 200 bureaux opened for business in September 1939 as World War II began, staffed entirely by volunteers and with financial support from local councils. Most Citizens Advice service staff are trained volunteers, working at around 2,800 service outlets across England and Wales . Advice and information www.adviceguide.org.uk or call the Volunteer hotline 08451 264 264.

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