Volunteer roles
Below is a list of voluntary roles and a brief description of what each role entails. To see if we are currently recruiting for the role you are interested in please click here.
Advisers – Please note, we are currently recruiting advisers for the face to face service for our Saltley office only. If you are unable to work at Saltley please consider the alternative roles below.
Without our trained volunteer advisers we could not deliver our service. Approximately 60 people attend our face to face drop in sessions every day, and our advisers carry out interviews to assess their problems and identify how best to help. This might involve helping the client to find information to resolve their own issue, but in many cases, advisers must research quite complex information and explain options to clients. They may also give practical help such as completing forms, writing letters or making telephone calls. Advising can be challenging, and the environment is fast paced, but we offer free training and support, both formal and on-the-job. Please note that due to the demands of the role, we are only able to accept applications for adviser roles from people able to commit to at least two six hour sessions per week. Sessions typically run from 9:30-4:30 Monday-Friday. To see a full role description click here.
Telephone Advice Line Assessor - This is a diverse and demanding role, similar to that of an adviser, but carried out within our telephone and digital service. As part of a dedicated team you will help to answer telephone calls and emails received from our clients, using questioning skills to efficiently diagnose the help they require. Where the client can be assisted with information, you will provide and explain this. Where the matter is more complex, you will need to refer or signpost to an appropriate source of help. We provide all Telephone Assessors with training, which helps to develop the skills needed to deliver an excellent level of service to clients. To see a full role description click here.
Administrators - The administrative team are the backbone of our service. We have various different roles which help to support advisors and caseworkers and ensure the smooth running of the bureau. To see a full role description click here
Receptionists - Receptionists are an integral part of the team, managing the often challenging, and always busy ‘front-of-house’. You will need to have a confident personality for this role, and a patient, empathic and assertive approach; as well as the ability to create a positive and professional first impression to clients and other visitors. To see a full role description click here.
Trustees - Because every CAB is a registered charity, each has its own Board of Trustees. Some trustee roles require specific skills. Citizens Advice Birmingham welcomes people of all ages, backgrounds and experience to their trustee boards. Because trustee boards tend to meet in the evenings, you can fit this around a full time job or study. To see a full role description click here
Research and Campaigners - By using evidence routinely collected from our clients, you could help bring about changes in local and national policies and services which can benefit everyone - even those who have never used a CAB. To see a full role description click here.
For more on our campaigning work click here.
Benefits Adviser- Our volunteer benefits team helps clients who need more complex or ongoing benefits advice; for example to appeal a benefits decision. If you already have advice work experience, or a good knowledge of welfare benefits, and would like to use your knowledge and skills to help our clients, this opportunity may be right for you. If you do not have relevant experience, you would usually need to apply for an adviser role first, and after gaining experience, develop into this role.
Tribunal Representative - Volunteers can look forward to submitting appeals and representing at tribunal clients who’s application for welfare benefits has been wrongly refused. To see a full role description click here.
Interpreter/Translator - With a constant stream of clients from all backgrounds there is a need for multilingual volunteers to help us help clients whose first language isn’t English. To see a full role description click here.
