Citizens Advice Exeter marks national Volunteer Week

Volunteers’ Week started on 1st June 2017. The annual event celebrates the fantastic contribution that millions of volunteers make across the UK. It is an opportunity for organisations to publicly recognise the work of their volunteers.

Leading local charity, Citizens Advice Exeter is saying a “big thank you” to their 100 volunteers. The contribution of the charity’s volunteers was recognised last year when they received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

At a time of continuing job insecurity and financial pressures, the invaluable contribution made by volunteers is needed more now than ever. Last year, the charity’s volunteers provided 34,112 hours of time, or equivalent to 18.7 full-time equivalent staff members, or some £570,000 in value.

Volunteers undertake a variety of roles. These include training as advisers and assessors, campaigning, researching, working on Reception, helping out with administration, providing training, or as trustees sitting on the charity’s board.

Chief Executive of Citizens Advice Exeter Steve Barriball said: “There is a huge demand for the advice and policy influence our staff and volunteers provide. Our volunteers give over half a million pounds worth of hours a year between them. I would like to say a “big thank you” to them.

"They embed the charity in the local community. Without their passion and generosity the service would struggle to survive, and the cost to the economy of unresolved problems would soar. As we further develop our advice model, volunteers remain a fundamental part of making that a success”.

Volunteer Peggy Crossman said: “Volunteering with the charity means every day is different, I get the opportunity to get involved with so many different things. But most importantly, every day, we are making a difference to people’s lives.”

Steve Barriball finished by saying: “We are keen to help even more people this year. However, we can only do this if we have the necessary resources to recruit, train and support new volunteers to help more people. We want to increase public and corporate donations so that we can achieve this. Anyone wishing to support our work can donate on-line by going to the Support Us section of our website (www.citizensadviceexeter.org.uk)”  

Alternatively, donations can be made in person at the Charity’s office on Dix’s Field in Exeter.