I also know of someone who worked for CAB in Ilford Essex so again that CAB may be able to offer useful info. Cheers Graham Graham Page Home Phone: 0207 265 9493 Mobile: 07753 607980 Fax: 0870 706 2773 Email: gpage@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx MSN: gabriel_mcbird@xxxxxxxxxxx Skype: gabriel_mcbird ----- Original Message ----- From: Richard Godfrey-McKay To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Friday, January 18, 2008 10:59 PM Subject: [access-uk] Re: Off topic: Access and training with Citizens Advice Buerau 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. Please go to www.justgiving.com/slimmercindy to make a generous donation to RNIB and keep her healthy and motivated to lose even more weight.42Lb to date! Thanks for reading this message. Richard ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 Cairns To: Access UK Mailing List 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 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.6/1230 - Release Date: 17/01/2008 16:59 __________ NOD32 2806 (20080118) Information __________ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com __________ NOD32 2806 (20080118) Information __________ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com