Volunteer with us
There are lots of great reasons to volunteer with us at Citizens Advice Merton and Lambeth (CAML).
Whether you want to make good use of your skills, gain valuable experience or get involved with your local community, volunteering with CAML can provide an opportunity for something great. Together, we can reach more local people and help find a way forward.
In return, our volunteers can expect that we fully reimburse any agreed out-of-pocket expenses (including travel costs) that are associated with volunteering.
You can look through our current volunteering vacancies below. This page is regularly updated so please keep checking back for updates. On the other hand, you can register your interest and we will contact you about your chosen roles when vacancies go live.
Volunteering vacancies
Our volunteers say:
“I first began Volunteering for another Citizens Advice in January 2010 and then gained paid work there in September 2013. I always found Volunteering rewarding, being able to help others despite my own battles in life. This gave me a sense of satisfaction and something to get up for in the mornings. Without the volunteering opportunity with Citizens Advice, my life would have been a very different story.
During the Pandemic, I worked at another Citizens Advice as a Deputy Leader for their Volunteer project. I delivered all of the training for Volunteers, ensuring their practice met all of the QAA standards. I joined CAML in 2022 as an Adviser. 14 years after first starting my Volunteering journey with Citizens Advice, I’ve gained so much knowledge and skills from all the training and different roles I’ve been able to do. I'm so grateful!”
- Natasha, CAML Adviser
I started volunteering as an Information Volunteer with CAML in 2019. I had always been interested in Citizens’ Advice and when I took early retirement from teaching I saw an opportunity to get involved.
Information Volunteers welcome clients to the office and help to establish the key areas clients need help with, before passing them on to an assessor who will examine the problem in detail. I was initially based in the Streatham office and now Mitcham; soon I will move to Kennington. I could not have asked for a more rewarding volunteering position. All the regular staff and the other volunteers at CAML have been so kind, supportive, patient and friendly. I never feel that I am at fault for forgetting something or asking for help for the umpteenth time; my supervisor has a laugh with me rather than making me feel like an idiot! They are flexible if I can’t come in for any reason. Citizens’ Advice never forgets that we are volunteers and genuinely values our contribution. It is a real privilege to meet our clients, many of whom have complex problems but are dealing with them with grace. I often feel that I haven’t done much to help, but the clients are incredibly grateful. It is such an eye-opening and rewarding role.
- Lynne, CAML Information Volunteer
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
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The minimum amount of time we are looking for is explained in the role descriptions for each of our opportunities. Our offices operate 10am-4pm during weekdays. Our required minimum time commitment is one day per week.
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Specific training or qualifications are not required to apply for volunteering opportunities. All roles involve comprehensive training to support you.
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CAML will cover reasonable travel costs from your home to the office where you volunteer, attend training or meetings. We encourage volunteers to use public transport where possible. We will pay limited lunch costs in accordance with our policy.
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Volunteering is not an obligation and you can take a break whenever you want to. It is helpful to us if you are able to keep us informed, but we understand if you need some time out. Many volunteers need to look after children during the holidays, for example, or take breaks for exams or coursework if they are studying. If you take a break of more than 5-6 months, we may ask you to re-do some of the training.