CAB Volunteers Prove Their Dedication in Helping Others

10/6/2011 6:20 AM EST

As the pressure on free legal and consumer advice services continues to grow across Northumberland two volunteers have been praised for their startling commitment to help people resolve their problems.

Liz Bratton and Julie Barham began their journey to become qualified Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) advisers in January 2011 and – after just eight months of devoted studying – the dedicated volunteers are now on-hand to offer free and independent advice at the DAWN CAB in Morpeth.

And Liz Chadwick, Chief Executive of DAWN Advice, which manages the DAWN CAB, said she would love to see more people following the pair’s outstanding example.

She said: “Julie and Liz have worked extremely hard and have proved exactly how dedicated they are by completing their training in just eight months. We are absolutely thrilled to have them on board and to welcome them to our team of advisers.

“Owing to the extensive advice which people can access through CABs, and the complexity of some of the matters that advisers deal with on a daily basis, the training involved in becoming an adviser is, at times, quite intense and can often take around 12 months to complete, so Liz and Julie’s achievements are outstanding.

“We are always on the lookout for volunteers and would love to hear from anybody else who thinks they could help.”

Liz Bratton, 62, of Wingates, contacted Citizens Advice to offer her help after seeing the effects of the recession on the region. She said: “I had always been aware of Citizens Advice Bureaux and as the recession and funding cuts really started to set in, I knew a lot more people would need extra support and I wanted to help.

“After retiring I had more time and wanted to do something constructive with my days – after looking into volunteering with Citizens Advice I decided get involved and I definitely haven’t looked back. It’s so satisfying to know we’re helping to make a difference.”

Throughout their training the ladies studied a variety of modules to ensure they are able to provide well-informed advice on a number of matters ranging from housing, debt and benefits to employment, relationships and consumer issues.

Julie, 49, of Ponteland, decided to become a volunteer adviser after moving to Northumberland with her husband, Peter. Julie said: “The support which we received during our training was marvellous. The training is quite intense but the whole Morpeth team was behind us and were so encouraging.

“I’m really looking forward to meeting people and being able to help and support them as they work through their issues.

“As our children have left home now I was looking for a new challenge and what could be more interesting and rewarding than becoming a Citizens Advice volunteer.”

Liz Chadwick, from DAWN Advice, added: “Advisers need to be able to quickly identify appropriate solutions for their clients while also being capable of recognising any secondary issues which they may be struggling with.

“Although the training can be hard work our volunteers are always delighted with how rewarding being a CAB adviser can be. They regularly work with people who are facing very difficult, and often dark, times and help to see them through to a much more positive future.

“The need for free and high-quality advice is constantly growing in our region and it is with the help of volunteer advisers like Julie and Liz that we are able to continue to meet the increased demand, because no one should have to suffer alone.”

Northumberland residents in need of free and impartial advice can access face-to-face support from the Citizens Advice drop-in service at the DAWN CAB in Morpeth’s Tower Buildings. For opening times or for further information contact the Northumberland advice line on 0844 4111 309 or visit www.dawnadvice.org.uk.