Today I spent 6 hours volunteering at the reception desk of our local CAB. This time last week, I hadn't really intended to commit a couple of days a week to helping out anywhere, let alone at a Citizen's Advice Bureau. I've always had enormous respect for the organisation but hadn't really considered getting involved.
So what caused this sudden rush to join up? Last week, I went along to the Haringey Council HMO conference. The more I listened to council officers and housing experts explaining the changes to housing benefit, the rise in the number of complaints against private landlords, the impassioned pleas of enforcement officers to 'join up the legislation' so they can tackle rogue landlords effectively, the more I realised that being angry about the cuts, lack of housing, benefit reform etc and reading endless Guardian articles about the effects wasn't going to be enough and it was time to get skilled up to help those about to be knocked off their feet by the tsumani that is the Coalition's welfare reform.
I'm starting at the reception, learning the ropes and how to handle people that are worried, frustrated or angry about their problems. I spent a lot of time apologising that we don't have enough people/time to see them. I hope they will be successful if they show up the next time but the queues in the morning for the 9.30 opening suggest that they may have a long wait. I hand out opening hours and a list of alternative places to get advice. The CAB staff and volunteer advisors work all day with new/ existing clients but there's 30 turned away today. Demand is very high and not enough staff to cope but there is tremendous relief on the faces of many of those who are seen. One client comments to another as she's leaving, 'you have to wait a long time, but it's worth it'.
I hope to train as an advisor in a few months. In the meantime, I'll do what I can to help out. I expect to learn a lot in the next few weeks.
Photo by Alan Stanton on Flickr
Link: Haringey CABX
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