Citizens advice discussion how much can they help?

Toon_Dave

i would like to get involved with helping through the CAB just work full time and i think its all done during work hours, is that right imorral angel?

This sites allows many after hours to get the help they need.

immoral_angeluk

It depends on the bureau Dave. I know our bureau is normal office hours but some offer weekend/evening advice.
You can get details through the volunteering website, or give your local CAB a call. http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/join-us.htm

Toon_Dave

immoral_angeluk wrote: »

It depends on the bureau Dave. I know our bureau is normal office hours but some offer weekend/evening advice.
You can get details through the volunteering website, or give your local CAB a call. http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/join-us.htm

Thanks Angel, I would like to give back etc as i had a good service from my local newcastle office prior to moving to new area. Feel only right to offer help and support back when i can.

Thanks for the link, i'll take a look.

Dave X

immoral_angeluk

Toon_Dave wrote: »

Thanks Angel, I would like to give back etc as i had a good service from my local newcastle office prior to moving to new area. Feel only right to offer help and support back when i can.

Thanks for the link, i'll take a look.

Dave X

No problem. I think it's great that people want to give back, and best of luck to you if you go ahead. If you've got any questions or anything feel free to pm me.

Toon_Dave

immoral_angeluk wrote: »

No problem. I think it's great that people want to give back, and best of luck to you if you go ahead. If you've got any questions or anything feel free to pm me.

Thanks Angel i will do. i've saved the page in favorites i'll give it a good look over when a bit more awake.

Cheers

cabvol

immoral_angeluk wrote: »

That's so true. Clients don't see the whole picture and the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes. We're lucky in our main bureau that we have 2 debt caseworkers (3 once I'm fully trained.), and a benefit caseworker. But we have to cover a large area and have a number of outreaches as we cover quite a rural area.
It's not an ideal situation, and like you say a lot of loca authorities are removing funding and setting up their own smaller (and therefore cheaper :rolleyes: ) advice centres. Sadly this means that a lot of people will end up not recieving the help and advice they need... Where's the logic?

How about a story from the other side, while I understand how frustrating it most be trying to get advice, people need to remember just what we can be dealing with in a day, from homeless families who have been turned down for housing by the local authority, been every where for help and the last place they turn is CAB late on a friday PM or clients with more complex debts problems, bankruptcy is not the answer for everyone. An example I have spent 2 hours with a client but spent 20+ dealing with the case behind the scenes.

Tonight I was leaving to go home to my own family, my children have not seen me all week I have been out before they get up and home after they have gone to bed, yes I am a paid debt worker but part time 16 hours per week, no way I can deal with the work load in that time. A volunteer was having difficulty with someone who had just turned up.

They were desperate for help with the Bankruptcy forms, they said they could not wait any longer they kept getting phone calls from their creditors and could not take any more abuse.

I agreed to look at the forms, not a single section had been completed, the rest of the information was contained in 2 carrier bags, a self help Inc/exp sheet barely touched. after 3 hours much work and many fag and mobile phone calls breaks for them we were finished.

I was then told what a t**t I was for doing all the work for them laughed at called a middle class c**t and then I was spat at twice in the face. They were off down the pub for a night out. I came home to an empty house, family gone out. My wife says all I do now is think about work.

They were right I am a T**t.

I will be giving my notice in Monday I am not going back, I have had enough of abuse from people and their creditors.

There is no point in trying to explain our work or situation on here or any other forum people just do not care they want there problems sorted and now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and if we do not make their problems disapear with our magic wands then we are crap. We are slagged off on forums like this never any thanks whats that you said 'blind as a bat' a big chip on my shoulder you could be right time to get it off, I am trying to remember why I started doing this but I am so tired of it all I really can not face it any more.

blind-as-a-bat_2

cabvol wrote: »

How about a story from the other side, while I understand how frustrating it most be trying to get advice, people need to remember just what we can be dealing with in a day, from homeless families who have been turned down for housing by the local authority, been every where for help and the last place they turn is CAB late on a friday PM or clients with more complex debts problems, bankruptcy is not the answer for everyone. An example I have spent 2 hours with a client but spent 20+ dealing with the case behind the scenes.

Tonight I was leaving to go home to my own family, my children have not seen me all week I have been out before they get up and home after they have gone to bed, yes I am a paid debt worker but part time 16 hours per week, no way I can deal with the work load in that time. A volunteer was having difficulty with someone who had just turned up.

They were desperate for help with the Bankruptcy forms, they said they could not wait any longer they kept getting phone calls from their creditors and could not take any more abuse.

I agreed to look at the forms, not a single section had been completed, the rest of the information was contained in 2 carrier bags, a self help Inc/exp sheet barely touched. after 3 hours much work and many fag and mobile phone calls breaks for them we were finished.

I was then told what a t**t I was for doing all the work for them laughed at called a middle class c**t and then I was spat at twice in the face. They were off down the pub for a night out. I came home to an empty house, family gone out. My wife says all I do now is think about work.

They were right I am a T**t.

I will be giving my notice in Monday I am not going back, I have had enough of abuse from people and their creditors.

There is no point in trying to explain our work or situation on here or any other forum people just do not care they want there problems sorted and now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and if we do not make their problems disapear with our magic wands then we are crap. We are slagged off on forums like this never any thanks whats that you said 'blind as a bat' a big chip on my shoulder you could be right time to get it off, I am trying to remember why I started doing this but I am so tired of it all I really can not face it any more.

Not often im wrong, its a curse, knew something was wrong with your posts, and i hope the rest of that response you refer too shows i do understand, i think your making the right choice put you family first, thats a mistake i made and still regret it

wish you well

GeorgeUK

That's assault - no way should you be putting up with that. I'd make sure all staff know not to let them in the building let alone help them.

If it were me i'd grab the forms and rip them to pieces. Both the forms and them :mad:

Sorry to hear about this, but your possibly doing the right thing. Your priorities are your family and your health. Neither of which seem to be gaining anything by you slaving away at the office. You can't help everyone and it looks like it's time to help yourself. I'd advise getting set up with another job before resigning as you won't be entitled to much benefits and with the credit crunch lots of places are cutting back on staff so getting another job may be mre difficult.

Incase nobody has said it lately - thanks you for helping, for caring and for making the effort.

Now it's time to put all of that back in to your family.

tigerfeet2006

(((HUGS))) Cabvol. As others say that is assualt and you shouldn't have to put up with things like that. Report it to the police. Thank you for your insight into the life of a CAB volunteer.

We do have great respect for CAB and other debt agencies on here. If you are around for a while you will find that.

blind-as-a-bat_2

tigerfeet2006 wrote: »

(((HUGS))) Cabvol. As others say that is assualt and you shouldn't have to put up with things like that. Report it to the police. Thank you for your insight into the life of a CAB volunteer.

We do have great respect for CAB and other debt agencies on here. If you are around for a while you will find that.

Both you and i know reporting it gets nothing done tiger, if i remember correctly, or did you manage to get somewhere?