Citizens Advice Watford volunteers thanked on eve of Volunteers' Week

Rosie Woodhouse, responsible for volunteer recruitment at Citizens Advice Watford, has explained how integral volunteers are to the service, filling essential roles in the advice and administration teams, on the trustee board and in research and campaigns.

Since the start of the pandemic Citizens Advice Watford has given help and advice to more than 6,000 people, many seeking advice for the first time. Volunteers have been critical to the organisation meeting this demand.

Rosie said: “The contribution of our volunteers to our organisation, to the community of Watford, and to individuals seeking our help over this exceptionally difficult year has been invaluable. We cannot thank them enough.”

Rob, volunteer for Citizens Advice Watford

Those volunteers include Rosy, a full-time mum who was previously a specialist surgeon, Rob, a retired company director, Laura, who works full-time but manages her shifts to enable her to volunteer, and Solinda, a law student who combines her studies with being a mum, working part-time and volunteering.

Rosy’s inspiration to volunteer came from her belief that society can only work well when everyone contributes something to it. She describes volunteering for Citizens Advice Watford as an educative and rewarding experience, and is grateful to see people benefittingfrom the service, but also for the new skills that she has developed.

Volunteer Solinda

Rob was seeking an opportunity to put something back into the community and said: “I’m really enjoying being a member of such a dedicated organisation as Citizens Advice. They have been very welcoming to new volunteers and provide excellent training to get you up to speed quickly.”

Laura is another of Citizen Advice Watford's volunteers

Laura and Solinda both spoke of their pride in volunteering for a charity that helps people on a daily basis to resolve their problems.

Volunteers Week, which runs from tomorrow to June 7, is an opportunity for Citizens Advice Watford to focus on saying thank you to all of their volunteers for their time, dedication and commitment to helping so many people in the town.

Rosie said: “During the past year many of our volunteers have overcome challenges of their own and have also adapted to working remotely so that they can continue to offer advice and support when it is needed most.”

For information on volunteering with Citizens Advice Watford, visit cawatford.org.uk