VOLUNTEERS giving their time to Citizens Advice Scotland are worth more than £9 million to the charity, research has found.
The charity’s network across Scotland have given more than 622 000 hours of their time across 2020-21 – a contribution which amounts to more than £9.4 million.
Figures have been released ahead of Volunteers Week (June 1-7) which celebrates the contributions of volunteers across the UK.
There are 59 Citizens Advice Bureaux operating under the CAS umbrella with each of them registered as an independent local charity designed to suit local needs.
Nan Fotheringham, 81, is one of the CAB network volunteers in Coatbridge who has volunteered for two days a week for 20 years.
She said: “I can’t believe I’ve been volunteering at the CAB for 20 years – time flies. The local Citizens Advice Bureau is always there for people when they need it and it really shows the best of our communities.
“Times are really tough for people just now and I love having the opportunity to give something back to the community.
“I’d encourage anyone who is thinking about volunteering with their local CAB to look into it – you learn skills, meet great people and there’s no better feeling than helping someone resolve a problem."
Across the country, the local bureaux generate around £147 million for clients through social security benefits and debt management.
Chairman of Citizens Advice Scotland Rory Mair said: “Volunteers across the Citizens Advice network are worth millions of pounds in terms of the time they give, but to us they are simply priceless.
“Our network simply would not exist without the time, dedication and empathy of our volunteers.
“Volunteering for a CAB also opens up opportunities for people. Around a third of our volunteers go on to further education or employment, and this number will be artificially low given a number of our volunteers are past retirement age and just looking to give something back to their community.
“We’d always encourage people to consider volunteering with their local CAB. They are the heart and heartbeat.”
