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Volunteer Adviser

What does a volunteer adviser do in CARF?

Most of the volunteer advisers in CARF are known as “general advisers”. This means that they can provide advice and information to clients on just about anything!

If this sounds daunting, don’t worry. We have a comprehensive training programme that ensures that you’re supported every step of the way to becoming a general adviser (and will continue to have the support of colleagues and supervisors once you’re ready to fly solo). You’ll have access to AdviserNet, the extensive online resource that helps us give the right advice to all our clients.

Apply to become a Volunteer Adviser

The kinds of things that general advisers who volunteer for CARF might do in a typical day include:

  • Interviewing clients by phone or in person
  • Providing information using AdviserNet and other quality-assured sources
  • Explaining the options available to clients, and what those options might mean
  • Offering practical help to clients by writing letters, making phone calls and helping fill in forms
  • Performing calculations using online tools (for example, to ensure that clients are getting all the welfare benefits they are entitled to)
  • Referring clients to other agencies if they are better placed to help
  • Writing up accurate client records on CASTLE, our client case management database
  • Taking action to prevent recurring problems through local or national social policy action.
Download the Role Profile

No qualifications needed

You don’t need specific qualifications or experience to become an adviser as full training and support will be given but it helps if you:

  • Are a good listener
  • Like working in a team
  • Have a good level of English
  • Are open-minded and don’t judge people or their circumstances
  • Enjoy helping all kinds of people
  • Are confident using a computer
  • Can commit to at least two advice sessions per week (with further attendance at training and meetings required from time to time).

Good to know

The role of a general adviser can be challenging. Many clients have complex problems that take time to help with and CARF is a very busy organisation with lots of people in need of our help.

Other ways to get involved

If being and adviser isn’t for you but you would still like to help CARF, there are plenty of other ways you can do so. Other volunteering roles include:

  • Admin support
  • Board members
  • Social policy work
  • Fundraising activity
  • Why not see if one of these roles sounds like the one for you?