Volunteer

Research and campaigns volunteer

What will you do?

Receive full training, guidance and support

• complete a simple and short introduction to Citizens Advice and training relevant for your Research & Campaigns role
• work with, and under the supervision of, our experienced Research & Campaigns lead who will provide support and direction

Depending on your interests and availability, you will take part in some or all of the following activities:

Data analysis

• Examine and analyse case information on Casebook, our case notes resource, to spot trends or anomalies
• Identify problems specific to Bristol, for example in the social and private rental sector, as well as collating data on broader national issues
• Generate data analysis and reports to illustrate issues for use in campaigns
• Support volunteers and staff in participating effectively in response to national ‘calls for evidence’ on topical issues and possibly run surveys to assess how public policy changes are affecting clients

Storytelling

• Work with volunteers and staff to identify client stories that show how the issues affect clients
• Document stories to communicate and share as part of campaigns and other external engagement
• Follow an agreed protocol to ensure confidentiality and anonymity for clients as appropriate and maintain trust throughout

Campaigning

• Use the issues and trends identified through data analysis to research issues, identify potential solutions and develop campaigns using data and stories to raise awareness and/or advocate for change
• Identify key stakeholders and work with the Research & Campaigns Lead to develop an engagement strategy for the campaign
• Develop campaign materials such as briefings, presentations, and letters
• Participate in external engagement with partners and the public to help explain the issues and how they could be addressed. This could involve meetings, events, written communications, and social media.

What’s in it for you?

• make a real difference to people’s lives
• learn about a range of areas such as benefits, debt and housing, through online training and talking to relevant staff  to help identify how problems in these areas can affect clients
• build on valuable skills such as data analysis, communication, research, campaigns, and how to engage with a range of audiences
• increase your employability through working on projects where you will build and demonstrate your skills
• have a positive impact in your community and on broader society

And we’ll reimburse expenses too.

What do you need to have?

You don’t need specific qualifications or skills but you’ll need to:

• be friendly and approachable
• be non-judgmental and respect views, values and cultures that are different to your own
• have excellent verbal and written communication skills

• be able to understand complex information and explain it (verbally and writing) so that others understand it

• have good IT skills
• be willing to learn about and follow the Citizens Advice aims, principles and policies, including confidentiality and data protection
• be willing to undertake relevant Research & Campaigns training in your role

How much time do you need to give?

We can be flexible about the time spent and how often you volunteer, so come and talk to us. We have opportunities for people interested in making a long-term commitment to regular volunteering, on research and campaigning and those looking for more short-term, time bound projects.

Valuing inclusion

Our volunteers come from a range of backgrounds, and we particularly welcome applications from racially minoritised people/people of colour, disabled people, people with physical or mental health conditions, LGBTQ+ and non-binary people.

If you are interested in becoming a research and campaigns volunteer and would like to discuss flexibility around location, time, ‘what you will do’ and how we can support you, please contact John Alwyine-Mosely, Research & Campaigns Lead by email:[email protected]

If you are interested in applying, please fill out the application form and our EDI Survey by clicking the buttons given below.

If you have specific access needs, please let us know via email: [email protected] 

Want to help your community? Why not become a Volunteer Generalist Adviser with Citizens Advice Bristol?

This rewarding role supports people across our community who need help navigating life’s challenges. Every day, our volunteers support people through some of their most difficult moments—from helping families keep a roof over their heads to guiding individuals out of debt and uncertainty.

As a Generalist Adviser, you will help clients find a way forward by providing information and advice over the telephone and face to face. You will handle enquiries ranging from quick information requests to complex multi-issue cases.   

What will you do?

• Undertake 3-4 months training for your role
• talk to clients over the phone, or face to face to explore what problems they’ve come for help with
• find information about the clients’ problems and help them to understand their options
• support clients to take action to resolve their problems. This might include drafting or writing letters, making phone calls, or referring the client to another organisation
• write a summary of the clients’ problems and what action you’ve taken
• look out for problems’ that are common, or are unfair, and write a short report about the problem or a letter to an elected official like an MP or local councilor

Some examples of what you could do:

• help a client with debts work out a reasonable amount to pay back, and make  phone calls to organisations they owe money to.
• explore what benefits a client is entitled to and help them to complete a benefit application form.
• help a client who has problems with their landlord to understand their housing rights.

What’s in it for you?

• make a real difference to people’s lives
• learn about a range of issues such as benefits, debt, employment and housing
• build on valuable skills such as communication, listening and problem solving, and increase your employability
• work with other volunteers and staff, independently and in a team

And we’ll reimburse expenses too.

What do you need to have?

No prior experience is necessary as you will receive full training.  You don’t need specific qualifications or skills but you will need to:

• be friendly and approachable
• be non-judgmental and respect views, values and cultures that are different to your own
• have good listening skills
• have excellent verbal and written communication skills
• have good maths and IT skills
• be able to understand information and explain it to others
• be willing to learn about and follow the Citizens Advice aims, principles and policies, including confidentiality and data protection
• be willing to undertake training in your role

What training will you get?

You will be classroom trained in our Fairfax Street office every Wednesday 10-4pm, between September and early December 2026.  You will spend the equivalent of another day a week during this period  doing online training, and observing existing Advisers in the bureau, so you can build up practical skills and get some experience. 

There will be opportunities in the Summer to observe our work prior to training starting so that you can check if the role is right for you

How much time do you need to give once trained?

Ideally, we ask for 8 hours per week, which can be over one day or spread over two days, for at least 2 years.

However, we can be flexible so come and talk to us.

Valuing inclusion

Our volunteers come from a range of backgrounds and we particularly welcome applications from disabled people, people with physical or mental health conditions, LGBT+ and non-binary people, and people from Black Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities.

Interviews in late June/ early July.