The Bureau employs a small number of key staff. They carry out vital strategic and administrative work but their main function is to support and supervise the volunteer advisers - to be the advisers' advisers. However, the work of the Bureau is only made possible by the unstinting time and effort provided by volunteer advisers and support volunteers. These people are from all walks of life and give freely and generously of their time and expertise to help others who may have temporary or longer-term problems. Their backgrounds are incredibly varied. Some have had careers in the legal and medical professions, in the City and as engineers and scientists. Others may have family or caring commitments and can only volunteer for a fairly short period of time. No matter what their background, their work and life experiences can prove very valuable to the Bureau.

This year we are highlighting the valuable work provided by the support volunteers whose tasks include:

• Computer server support
• Data input -
• Filing
• Leaflet coordination
• Act as librarian
• Local information coordination
• Marketing
• Network support
• Photocopying
• Scanning
• Social policy
• Website development

We also decided to ask some key support volunteers what they thought about their volunteer experience
and the results are listed below:

We asked them:

What did you know about the place before you became a volunteer?
They all knew that the Bureau offered advice and two people knew they gave 'independent' advice.
What do you think you have contributed in your role as support volunteer?
In this section it was pleasing to note the very varied contributions which included:

Introducing new concepts in computer use

Resolving the backlog of filing and scanning

Helping to reduce the backlog on the administrator

Website support

General administration

What have you learned or improved upon in terms of your technical skills?
The majority of volunteers cited the mastering of new computer skills.
And personal development skills?
Regaining confidence, coping with problems and improved social skills.
We asked them to list the key qualities needed by a support volunteer
These were quite varied:

Helpfulness

Patience and empathy
Non-judgemental
Consideration
Willingness to learn and try new things
A positive attitude to new work procedures
Enthusiasm

How would you encourage your friends to volunteer at the Bureau? What would you say to them?

The responses included:
" Pleasant friendly people "
" The work is varied
" Busy but pleasant atmosphere even when times are busy
" A worthwhile work placement where you are contributing to help others
" They are helpful and friendly people to whoever comes through the
door - they are never judgemental
How do you think the Bureau could get more support volunteers?
" Keep advertising, trying different forms of promotion and indicating what the Bureau
can offer potential volunteers
" There are a lot of websites and advertisements dealing with volunteer work
but the individual has to want to take the first step
" Tell them how much fun it is
" Support volunteers could spread the word
" Leaflets in jobcentres and libraries
" Highlight that volunteers are wanted with a range of different skills

Back to Annual Review 2004-5