Standing up for others: Citizens Advice fitted Jane’s passion for fairness and equality
Standing up for others: Jane’s studies reinforced her desire to work in a field that supports people.
Here she explains to Jane Sheils why Citizens Advice was the right organisation when it came to volunteering.
Jane wanted to volunteer with an organisation that stands up for others with nowhere else to turn. Citizens Advice was a natural choice.
She joined CAEE in September and is training as an Adviceline Adviser, first point of contact for a telephone enquiry. At university* she studied Education, Culture and Society gaining a deep understanding of how social structures and policies affect people’s lives.
Always passionate about fairness and equality, Jane’s studies reinforced her desire to work in a field that supports people who may not have the knowledge or resources to advocate for themselves.
Active listening
She says people often come to Citizens Advice feeling overwhelmed by complex issues and situations. Positive ways forward depend on active listening and problem-solving by the Adviser, just the skills she hopes to strengthen in herself. Jane also wants to build confidence in challenging situations, so she can provide guidance that genuinely makes a difference.
So many individuals face unexpected difficulties whether financial, legal or personal. Knowing how Citizens Advice exists to offer free, independent and impartial help really resonated with Jane. She wants to contribute to a service that gives people the knowledge they need, helps them regain control and ultimately improves their lives.
That really is standing up for others!
More about CAEE volunteering opportunities.
* Read more about our student volunteers here.
By Jane Sheils