A LOCAL charity is encouraging anyone who made a New Year resolution to get more involved in their local community to find out more about become a Volunteer Adviser with Citizens Advice.

Citizens Advice Stroud & Cotswold Districts, which is a local independent charity entirely reliant on local fundraising, is now recruiting advisers who will help people across the Stroud and Cotswold Districts to solve their problems, whatever they may be, by providing impartial, independent and confidential advice.

An Information Session will be held on Wednesday February 22 at 3pm in the Stroud Office in Brunel Mall and anyone who is interested to find out more is welcome to come along.

The work of volunteer advisers is very varied but the most common inquiry areas are: money; benefits; housing; employment and family problems.

Volunteers don't need specific qualifications or experience to train for the role but do need to be good at listening, have a good telephone manner, be confident using a computer and searching the internet, and enjoy working in a team.

Advisers are asked to volunteer for either one full day per week or two half days.

Mary, a volunteer adviser in the Cirencester office, said: “I love advising because I enjoy helping people find a way forward and feeling like I'm really making a difference.”

Anyone who would like to attend the Information Session should email training@ca-scd.org.uk

For more information about Citizens Advice Stroud & Cotswold Districts go to www.citizensadvice-stroudandcotswold.org.uk