A shift in the life of: Wayne Stretch, Trainee Advisor at Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice are a charity who offer expert, independent advice. Their services are free and completely confidential. They offer quality checked and up to date advice on debt, benefits, housing, employment, immigration and consumer issues as well as other areas.
The Clare Foundation were delighted to provide Citizens Advice in High Wycombe with £20,000 bridge funding to help employ trained paid advisors so they could go on providing clients with the help and support that they need to find a way forward.
Wayne Stretch is a Trainee Advisor at Citizens Advice and here we find out what it’s like working in his role:
How long have you been working for Citizens Advice Bucks:
I have been working here for 2.5 years.
How did you find the training?
The training has been excellent. Initial training gave me the confidence to deal with clients in a professional manner. Ongoing training has allowed me to give advice on some of the more difficult cases.
What do you do when you are on shift?
Every shift is so different. You may be following up on a client that you have been working with for some time, or start speaking to new clients to understand their issues and providing advice on how to move forward.
What has been the hardest thing about your role?
It can be sometimes harrowing to listen to some of the difficulties that people are facing and how traumatic it is through no fault of their own. However there is lots of support around to deal with it.
What do you enjoy the most about your work:
Two things. First, helping people who can only see blank wall in front, to see that there is hope and support for them to get through their difficult time. The relief that you can hear in their voice and the gratitude they give for you supporting them is humbling. Secondly the many friends I have made and the laughs I have had whilst working here. It has been a godsend.
Citizens Advice Bucks is a local charity that provides free, impartial and confidential advice on any problem you might face. Expert advisers can help with issues involving benefits, debt, housing, employment, consumer rights, immigration, discrimination and more! As a community resource the charity can give you all the facts and possible outcomes of different options and help you make decisions and find a way forward. Citizens Advice also offer support with filing in forms, negotiating with third parties and writing letters.
0808 278 7938
www.citizensadvicebucks.org.uk
We are really pleased to see the bridge funding has already had a massive impact on the charity and we look forward to hearing many more inspiring stories.
