YOU probably know that Citizens Advice and Rights Fife (CARF) is the place to go when you need free, confidential, impartial advice but did you know that the first person you meet there will probably be a volunteer?

The Cowdenbeath CARF outlet has this year dealt with a varied number of enquiries and they are ready to handle a lot more but they would welcome new volunteers.

General Advisers are the people you tend to meet at drop-in sessions. CARF has over 100 volunteers across Fife, giving on average more than 1,500 hours per month.

They give up some of their free time every week to help solve people’s problems. You can ask them anything you need advice on and they’ll do their best to find the right information and advice for you. CARF advisers come from a huge range of backgrounds and bring all kinds of life experience with them.

They might all be different but what they share is a desire to help people in their community when things aren’t going so well for them.

Demand in the Cowdenbeath area is currently putting extra pressure on the team there and they’d love to increase the numbers of volunteers they have. The team is led by Karin Anderson, Bureau Co-ordinator and she has a wealth of experience in advice giving as well as supporting volunteers. Karin says: “It’s quite a big commitment to be an adviser, but training, support and encouragement is in abundance.

"The initial training is over a three month period and is a mix of face-to-face group sessions, online learning and practical experience in the office. It then takes another few months to build up your experience before you qualify as an adviser. "Although you don’t need specific skills or experience for the role, being able to use a computer is very helpful. It’s important you are able to treat our client’s problems in confidence and without judgement. You’re never on your own though, there are always other advisers ready to provide support and I’m on hand if you’re not sure about something.”

A programme of training for advisers is due to start on Wednesday August 17 and applications for volunteers looking to join this programme are being accepted now.

There are opportunities available in other roles as well. CARF is also looking for volunteers to assist clients complete disability benefit claim forms. Training for this role starts on Thursday 18th August and is over a four week period.

Details of how to apply to volunteer, as well as all the other opportunities available in CARF, can be found at www.cabfife.org.uk

If you’d like to talk to someone first, pop into an office or contact Catriona Skinner, Training and Volunteer Development Officer, on 01592 765403 .