CITIZENS' advice volunteers are really making a difference to people's lives.

Worcester Citizens Advice Bureau and WHABAC and Citizens Advice Herefordshire are celebrating volunteers who dedicate their time to solving people’s problems and making a difference to their lives.

Volunteers Week, which runs until June 7, is themed volunteering for all and the charity wants to highlight the work of its team, which helps people in the community struggling with debt, housing, benefit and employment issues among other issues.

Over 70 volunteers at Worcester CAB and WHABAC and Citizens Advice Herefordshire give up an average of 10 hours each per week and last year helped 9,025 individuals with 21,363 problems.

The charity’s volunteers have played a crucial role ensuring people in Worcester and surrounding areas and Herefordshire get the advice and support they need to get on with their lives.

Citizens Advice offers a wide range of voluntary roles including fundraising, advisers, administrators and trustees.

Emily Gidman at Worcester CAB and WHABAC has been volunteering while she studies law at The University of Worcester. She said: “I have really benefited from working in an office environment and with clients who are really appreciative of our efforts. In addition, by helping people sort out problems that have been holding them back I have learned skills that have really helped me develop confidence for my own career prospects.”

Martyn Saunders, chief executive at Worcester CAB and WHABAC said:

“Our volunteers make a huge difference to people’s lives. They give up their free time to help people in their community, who may be going through problems, to get back on their feet. If you’d like to help people in your area and can spare a few hours, we’d love to hear from you.”

Nationally, 23,000 Citizens Advice volunteers help provide support in 2,900 locations across England and Wales - helping 2.7 million people every year.

Thanks to the contribution volunteers play in local Citizens Advice, two out of every three clients have their problem solved and four out of five say the advice received improved their lives.

If you’re interested in finding out more about volunteering Worcester CAB and WHABAC Contact: Colin Stuart - colin.stuart@cabwhabac.org.uk (Worcester CAB and WHABAC)

or Sonya Gregory - sonya.gregory@citizensadviceherefordshire.org.uk (Citizens Advice Herefordshire)