Annual review [ 1.4 MB] - Citizens Advice

The year from April 2010 to April 2011 saw us fulfil the greater part of ourcontract under the Future Job Fund scheme at the bureau, which began onMarch 8 th 2010.Springtime witnessed the blossoming of our bureau careers: our responsibilitiesbegan to increase gradually, as we nurtured and developed new skills. Shelleyand Eve O’Connor offered tutelage on reception duties, we were guided throughthe administration roles by Larry, Shelley and Adele and, by the end of May, wehad completed the necessary Gateway course enabling us to see clients face toface. We soon learned that the bureau was no place for a shrinking violet!Summer foretold of a bright future as we took on such diverse tasks as deliveringpromotional leaflets to the majority of houses in South Whitehaven (every sunblessedFriday!), assisting with funding bids, helping put reports together andassuming the duties of the outreach worker servicing Mirehouse.Having sampled a wide variety of bureau work at the approach of autumn, webegan to fall into more defined roles. Most of us decided to proceed along theGeneralist training route, and an overhaul of the telephone advice service sawseveral of us occupied with the implementation and maintenance of an ongoingproject.We returned with renewed vigour from the respite of the holiday period, but thewinter forecast was bleak: our days at the bureau were numbered. We continuedin our roles for the final couple of months’ employment before we were all finallybade a fond farewell by those with whom we had worked and come to treat asfriends during our time at the bureau.The present finds us welcoming the return of spring, the rejuvenating essence ofwhich has given two of us a new lease of life as volunteers with the bureau.Our experience here has equipped us with the skills necessary to building a career, butonly time will tell what we will reap from these sown seeds.Chris Nichol, Future Jobs Fund Worker at Whitehaven OfficeI was employed under The Copeland Borough Council Future Jobs Fund Scheme for 1year from March 22 nd 2010 to March 25 th 2011 at Copeland Citizens Advice Bureau(Millom Office). I have gained a lot of knowledge while working in the Bureau.I have met some really nice people who are willing to help you the best way theypossibly can. Everyone at CAB works as a team to ensure the service we provide runssmoothly and efficiently.Before I started at CAB, I had no knowledge of Administration Work but since I havebeen an employee within the organisation I have become skilled at duties such as;customer service, filing, faxing, photocopying etc. I also enjoy compiling all ourstatistical information for Haverigg Prison and producing posters and leaflets etc pluskeeping all our displays interesting but clearly visible for the public.I have completed my CAB Gateway Assessors Course and my NVQ Level 2 in BusinessAdministration and I am now working towards my Level 3. Overall I have achieved a lotwhilst working within the Bureau and I appreciate the help, training and supportprovided from fellow colleagues and volunteers to accomplish these.Lauren McNulty, Future Jobs Fund Worker at Millom Office