WEST Devon Citizens Advice Bureau is appealing for volunteers to come forward and train as generalist advisers to help expand and improve the service they can offer. There are currently just five active volunteers at the bureau?s Okehampton base, preventing further expansion. Mandy Kenyon, development officer for the charity, said: ?We often have to ask our Tavistock volunteers to travel across Dartmoor to fill the gaps in the rota at Okehampton, putting pressure on our travel budget and taking up more valuable voluntary time. ?What we would like to do is recruit and train volunteers now so that they are fully qualified by December in readiness for the Christmas rush.? Citizens Advice offers comprehensive training, and a general advice certificate on a CV often becomes a talking point in a job interview. The service ranks alongside others such as St John Ambulance and the Special Constabulary in the professionalism and dedication shown by its volunteers. Mandy Kenyon said: ?Our advisers are not trained to know everything, but they do learn a great deal about research techniques, listening to people and detective work in general.? Sue Bisley, of Okehampton Volunteer Bureau, said: ?Most CAB volunteers commit to about six hours a week. ?It?s a great opportunity to make new friends, help your community and keep your brain active. ?Travelling expenses are paid and advisers always have a supervisor on hand to add another point of view or solve a difficult problem.? Mandy will be hoping to meet new recruits in person on Wednesday, March 23, when she will be manning an information stand outside Waitrose in Okehampton during the day. The Citizens Advice service is free and confidential to members of the public. The bureau in Okehampton is currently open for four half day sessions a week, which could increase if the funding and volunteers can be found. People interested in learning more about volunteering for the CAB can call Sue Bisley on 01837 55047 or see Mandy outside Waitrose on March 23.
