Become a local
Citizens Advice volunteer

Current openings

  • Help people. Change lives. Strengthen your community. 

    Every year, Citizens Advice helps thousands of people in Norfolk through life’s toughest challenges — from rising living costs to energy bills, from accessing benefits to finding food support. Many people don’t realise how much of a difference we make — and you can be part of it. 

    As a Volunteer Adviser, you’ll be at the heart of our work, offering guidance, support, and hope to people who need it most. You’ll learn new skills, meet people from all walks of life, and leave each day knowing you’ve made a real impact. 

    What you’ll gain 

    • A sense of purpose and achievement from helping others in our community. 

    • New skills and experiences to enhance your CV — and keep your current skills sharp. 

    • A friendly, supportive, and inclusive environment where you’ll be valued. 

    • You will meet and work with a range of different people, both independently and in a team. 

    • Access to our Wellbeing Assistance Scheme 

    • Access the Charity Discount Scheme 

    • Participate in social events for volunteers 

    • Have an option to join network groups within the organisation for individuals within the organisation from various Ethnic backgrounds and cultures, people with Disabilities, LGBTQIA+ 

    What you’ll do 

    • Take part in our tailored Citizens Advice training so you feel confident in your role. 

    • Speak with people face-to-face or over the phone to understand their situation. 

    • Find clear, accurate information and explain the options available. 

    • Support people to take practical steps forward — from drafting letters to making calls or connecting them with other organisations. 

    • Record the support you’ve given so we can track our impact and improve our services. 

    • Highlight issues that affect many people, helping us campaign for positive change locally and nationally. 

    • Have all your travel expenses reimbursed. 

    What we’re looking for 

    • A friendly, approachable manner and a genuine desire to help. 

    • A non-judgmental attitude and respect for people’s different views, values, and experiences 

    • Good listening and communication skills. 

    • Good IT skills 

    • Willingness to learn and follow our principles, including confidentiality and data protection. 

    • Commitment to initial training for the role. 

    Time commitment 

    We can be flexible with your schedule — we’ll work with you to find a pattern that fits your life.  

    Initially, we ask that you dedicate 2 days a week for around 12 weeks for training. 

    Once you’ve become a fully trained adviser, we ask that you dedicate a minimum of half a day a week for 40 weeks of the year for a minimum of one year.  

  • Join Norfolk Citizens Advice as a Volunteer Receptionist and play an important role in helping local people feel welcome, reassured and supported from the moment they walk through the door. You’ll also help direct clients visiting the charity we share our office with, making you a key part of a friendly, community‑focused environment. 

    What you’ll do 

    • Welcome clients and help manage waiting times 

    • Explain what will happen during their visit 

    • Give out forms and guide people through what they need to complete 

    • Input client information onto our database or spreadsheets 

    • Answer calls, transfer them, or take messages 

    • Support the day‑to‑day running of the office 

    • Help direct visitors to the right place 

    Full training is provided — no experience needed. 

    What you need 

    • A friendly, approachable, non‑judgmental attitude 

    • Good listening and communication skills 

    • Basic IT skills 

    • Commitment to confidentiality and data-protection standards 

     

    Time Commitment 

    At least ½ day (4 hours) per week, ideally for one year 

    What you’ll gain 

    • The chance to make a genuine difference in your community 

    • Skills in communication, organisation, IT and teamwork 

    • Knowledge of issues like benefits, debt, housing and employment  

    • Join a supportive volunteer community  

    • Access to our Employee Assistance Program and Charity Discount Scheme  

    • Enjoy volunteer social events  

    • Travel expenses reimbursed  

    Valuing Inclusion  

    We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds, including disabled people, those with physical or mental health conditions, LGBTQ+ people, and individuals from diverse ethnic and cultural communities.  

Why volunteer?

As a charity, we rely on volunteers to help people when they need it most. Our volunteers tell us the role is highly rewarding!

By volunteering, you can:

  • Help people resolve real-life problems

  • Gain new skills and experience

  • Build confidence and meet people from different backgrounds

  • Support your career development or explore a change of direction

  • Give back to your local community

Volunteering can fit around your life, whatever your personal circumstances.

What do our volunteers do?

Our volunteers support people in different ways, depending on the role and the service.

Giving advice and information

Many volunteers help clients:

  • Online (including email)

  • Over the phone

  • Face to face

You might:

  • Help someone manage debts and contact organisations they owe money to

  • Explore what benefits someone is entitled to and help them complete an application

  • Explain tenant rights in rented accommodation

  • Support clients to switch energy providers or resolve consumer issues

Some roles focus on helping people find information and take action themselves, such as using a computer to manage money or complete forms.

No prior experience is needed, and full training is provided.

A woman with short gray hair and glasses on her head, holding a clipboard and talking to another woman with shoulder-length blonde hair inside a Citizens Advice office.

Other ways to volunteer

Not all volunteers give advice. You can also support us through:

  • Administration support

  • Research and campaigning

  • Communications and digital roles

  • Trustee roles, helping to run the charity and ensure good governance

Valuing inclusion

We’re an inclusive and welcoming organisation, and we’re here for everyone. Our volunteers come from a wide range of backgrounds, and we particularly welcome applications from:

  • People with disabilities, physical or mental health conditions

  • LGBTQ+ individuals

  • People from different ethnic backgrounds and cultures

If you’d like to discuss flexibility around location, time, role responsibilities or support needs, please contact us. We’re happy to talk.

Two women working at desks with computers, wearing headsets in an office setting.

Training and support

All volunteers receive:

  • A flexible, structured training programme

  • Ongoing mentoring and supervision

  • Access to online training materials you can complete at your own pace

  • Support from your team from day one

Training covers areas such as benefits, debt, housing, employment, consumer rights, healthcare and more.

Three colleagues having a discussion in a professional office setting, with two women and one man, one woman holding a green folder, and the others holding papers.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes! Our advisors complete a flexible and formal programme of training, with support and mentoring throughout the process. Most of our training materials are online so you can access them to suit your lifestyle but you’ll join your team from day one to ensure you have good links and strong mentor support.

  • We ask for a day a week from each of our volunteers although some give much more. We are fully flexible on holidays and other calls on your time.

  • Yes. There are administration, research, communications and trustee roles available.

  • You will be making a real difference in lives of the people you advise and learning how to tackle a range of present-day issues that are affecting the members of our communities.

    Our volunteer training courses build on valuable skills such as communication, listening and creative problem-solving and experience with us increases your employability.

    You will get to meet and work with a range of different people, both independently and in a team.

    • Access our wellbeing Assistance Scheme

    • Access the Charity Discount Scheme

    • Participate in social events for volunteers

    • Have the option to join network groups within the organisation for individuals from various Ethnic backgrounds and cultures, people with Disabilities, LGBTQ+, Trans and Non-Binary

    • Have all of your travel expenses remibursed!