General Elections can be frustrating because many people end up with a candidate and (depending on which party the candidate represented) a government for which they did not vote. There is a way you can make a difference to people’s lives other than through the ballot box – by volunteering.
There are dozens of opportunities available locally covering a wide range of activities. Many are shown on the Voluntary Action South West Surrey web site http://www.voluntaryactionsws.webeden.co.uk/
Here are a few examples.
Age UK is looking for someone who could spend about half a day a week helping older people in their homes to fill in forms applying for benefits.
Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards is looking for someone who is outgoing and enjoys meeting people, is reliable and has a professional, approachable demeanour to promote awareness of food allergens. Hours are flexible and related to completing tasks.
Diabetes UK, the largest charity in the UK devoted to the treatment and care of people with diabetes is looking for one person living in Guildford and Waverley CCG to become a Diabetes Service Champion for the area.
Working alongside the Influencing Manager, the Service Champion will:
- find out what people living with diabetes think about local services
- help to identify how local diabetes services in the area can be improved
- represent Diabetes UK at key NHS meetings and events.
- help to design new diabetes services where change is needed.
Citizens Advice Waverley is looking for Gateway Assessors in Farnham, Godalming, Cranleigh and Haslemere, who will be able to assess the problem, identify key issues, establish what the client wants, set up the next steps and keep accurate information given during gateway assessment interviews.
Citizens Advice is also seeking volunteers to run its Witness Service. Volunteers based at based at 300 different criminal court locations across England and Wales provide free emotional and practical help to anyone faced with appearing in court as a prosecution or defence witness. Court volunteers are currently required in Guildford and Staines and outreach volunteers throughout Surrey.
Training and reasonable travel expenses are normally available for all volunteer roles.
If you have a problem and require help from Citizens Advice, which could involve information and advice on Debt, Benefits, Work, Consumer Issues, Relationships, Housing, Law and Rights, Education, Discrimination, Tax and Healthcare you can:
- call 0344 848 7969 to speak to an assessor or make an appointment to talk to an adviser face-to face. (calls to this service cost the same as calling 01 and 02 numbers included as part of a mobile allowance or a landline call package.
- visit https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ to access our comprehensive range of information and advice,
- visit more pages on our website to find out what’s happening at Citizens Advice Waverley
- or follow us on Twitter @Waverley CAB
