I had a long career in public service, and on retiring ten years ago began an academic career. Whilst volunteering at a university’s legal advice clinic, I discovered the work was really rewarding and realised that I wanted to continue helping people in this way.
One of my tutors mentioned volunteering with Citizens Advice so I applied to volunteer with Citizens Advice in North and West Kent for an advisor role.
This would give me a broad range of experience and enable me to help people access services they might otherwise find difficult to reach.
After completing the initial training, I volunteered for two days a week and developed my skills and experience in providing general advice. I also progressed from telephone consultations with clients, to face-to-face appointments. I met some amazing, experienced, and knowledgeable advisors and received a lot of support in my role.
Recently, a paid role on the Citizens Advice Energy team came up, an area I have a particular interest in, which I have taken on. I am now helping people through what has been a difficult period of high energy costs.
I help to make sure that clients have received all the available government support and that they can be as efficient as possible with their energy use. I also provide advice on carbon monoxide safety and supply free carbon monoxide detectors to clients that do not have one.
Being at Citizens Advice has given me a great opportunity to challenge myself and develop new skills whilst working with great people and making new friends.
– Aman, Generalist Adviser, now in a paid Energy Adviser role
