Studying?	Retired?	Not in work?	Everyone!

Volunteering

We rely on volunteers to fulfil a wide range of roles:

Whatever your age, skills, experience, expertise or the time you have available, we will have a role for you. Click here for more information about the different volunteer roles.

What's in it for me?

Volunteering makes a valuable contribution to the community and is rewarding in its own right, but it can also help anyone wanting to:

• Return to or start work
• Build self-confidence
• Develop new and existing skills
• Use "redundant" abilities and experience
• Utilise particular expertise

We offer training, support and a friendly accepting environment where willingness, flexibility and enthusiasm are as important as formal qualifications and specific experience.

Applying

To find out more about the volunteering opportunities currently available, you can download these information pages:

• What do CABx do?
• What do volunteers do? (1)
• What do volunteers do? (2)
• Why volunteer?

Merton Millenium Volunteer wins prize

Sorana Churchill was one of eight volunteers who won a trip on the London Eye in a prize draw held by the Citizens Advice service to celebrate Volunteers Week 2004 (1-7 June). She is pictured with David Harker, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, enjoying their ride.

Sorana said: "I really enjoy working at Merton CAB. The work is very rewarding, exciting and has given me plenty of good experience. But it was very nice to be chosen in this prize draw - it's good to know that my efforts are appreciated"

Investing in Volunteers

Merton CAB are proud to have achieved the highest standard in support and development of volunteers. Here, Belinda Leathes, Chair of Merton CAB, is presented with the "Investment in Volunteers" award at an informal ceremony in May 2003.

What do past and present volunteers have to say?

Nick runs his own business. He is a volunteer adviser and a trustee board representative. "I find advice-work very rewarding, my work with the trustee board helps me understand the wider environment." Christine has disabilities. She helps with the post, photocopying and shredding. "I love it here. It's nice to be with other people and to know that I am doing a useful job" Liz worked for our money advice and specialist services but, like so many paid CAB workers, she started as a volunteer adviser. "Volunteering gave me so many different opportunities."

Belinda is involved in a number of different charities. She is chair of the trustee board and previously worked as an adviser. "Advice work really helped me to make a difference, the training was exceptional" Lucy volunteered during a break from studying after she completed her law degree. She says: "I learnt so much about working with people while I was at the CAB. My experience looked good on my CV and helped me find a job in a law practice"