[access-uk] Re: Off topic: Access and training with Citizens Advice Buerau

  • From: "Richard Godfrey-McKay" <richard@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 22:59:26 -0000

Hi, Don't know if this helps, but I know a blind woman was working as a
volunteer with CAB in Newport Gwent (I believe successfully) and I think I
remember a man who worked for them in the Limington area too.  Suggest
they/you make some enquiries.
 
Hope that's of some use.
 
 
 
 
Richard Godfrey-McKay
Tel: (01738) 445 880
Mobile: (07791) 452 593
 
Please read this special message 
 
My partner, Cindy, is losing weight and at the same time, raising money for
RNIB.   
 
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From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Paul Leake
Sent: 18 January 2008 22:46
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Off topic: Access and training with Citizens Advice
Buerau


jackie, I wonder if it'd be worth you discussing your experience either with
C A B nationally to see what there take is on your local experience or
contacting your local C V S bureau for their perspective on the matter. I
would have hoped that these days voluntary organisations would be much more
committed to involving people from a diverse range of experience including
the usual categories of Genda, Race, Disability etc. Sorry not to be more
helpful but I'm not sure what the legal position is for people volunteering
- I would have hoped the D D A  would come in here but I don't know!
 
All the best with your future explorations - I hope they materialise in
something positive and productive for you.

Cheers
 
Paul
 
paul.leake@xxxxxxxxxxxx

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Jackie  <mailto:cairnsplace@xxxxxxx> Cairns 
To: Access UK Mailing List <mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>  
Sent: Friday, January 18, 2008 10:11 PM
Subject: [access-uk] Off topic: Access and training with Citizens Advice
Buerau

Hi All
 
Apologies for the cross-posting of this topic, but I would appreciate any
views as it is an access issue that does involve the Internet to a certain
degree.
 
Exactly a year ago, I decided to contact Citizens Advice Bureau with a view
to becoming a volunteer Adviser.  Unfortunately, when I went to my local
office and tried to queue up to see someone about it, the person on duty
literally slammed the door in my face when I tried to make a polite enquiry.
Hurt, but not daunted, I contacted their Head Office in Edinburgh, and was
told that they were unsure if blind people ever did advisory work, but would
find out and get the relevant people in my locality to contact me.  I'm
still waiting ...
 
My son, Ian, is currently looking for another job as rumour has it that
Comet may be making him redundant in their usual cost-cutting drive.  While
he was scanning the local paper today, he came across the Citizens Advice
Bureau advertisement for volunteers in our area again, which stated that
they are commencing training in late February.
 
I am really keen to get involved in this for a couple of reasons.  Firstly,
it is community-based and something I could lend my skills to.  Secondly,
there would be a wide variety of topics to deal with, and I would find it
extremely challenging and worthwhile.
 
But what can I do if they become defensive about my blindness, or negative
towards having a blind volunteer?  Could I shove the DDA up their noses
because it is only volunteering, or complain to anyone if they don't accept
me onto their training programme?  One of the reasons they cited for my
unsuitability last year - bearing in mind I never even got an interview -
was that I couldn't access the paperwork required to complete my training,
or help clients complete benefit claims and other forms.  But my
understanding is that most, if not all, of this is online now.
 
Does anyone have a view about this?  Has anyone done any CAB work or welfare
rights who could speak firsthand of their difficulties with materials or
even clients in a general sense?
 
I would very much welcome your views as I want to proceed, but need to be
prepared for another door slam.
 
Jackie



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