HELPING out people in a tricky situation is something many might find daunting.

However, it is a daily occurrence for the team at Basingstoke Citizen’s Advice in the Discovery Centre, which is now looking for more people to join them and help those who need it.

The 90-strong team of volunteers, including advisers, admin staff, trustees and others, offer advice and assistance to those who seek it on a variety of topics such as financial trouble, housing issues and a host of other problems.

Chair of trustees, Ian Green, said: “While 90 volunteers might sound a lot, with volunteers coming in for one day or so a week, it means that we need more people to get involved to make sure we have enough staff each day.”

As well as helping members of the public who are in need of advice, the service also aids the volunteers themselves.

Chief executive officer of the Basingstoke branch Graham Hatcher said: “Anyone can volunteer for many of the roles, we have people who are retired, young mothers, and many other types of people.

“While people may not associate the Bureau with mental health, it can really improve the way people feel. Some volunteers find that it is respite from the outside world, and it is such a supportive and professional environment.

“One of the volunteers here told me that after a while it really helped them, and they said that ‘thanks to you, I can sleep at night’.

“People come to us in life-changing situations and we have so much information that we can give them, but we do have to train our volunteers first. It can be amazing to see how people change.”

All volunteer advisers are trained to have the information necessary to give out to clients.

For more information about becoming a volunteer, call 01256 329 984 or go to

basingstokeandtadleycab.org.uk

.