Appeal boosts volunteer numbers in Inverness
THE number of volunteers at a stretched help organisation in Inverness is set to more than double thanks to a highly-successful recruitment drive.
The Inverness Courier reported last month that soaring numbers of inquiries had prompted a warning from the Citizens Advice Bureau that it was reaching a critical point.
About 20 people have now come forward and attended open days and are expected to begin a training programme soon.
The unprecedented recruitment drive, including a 45,000 leaflet drop, follows a doubling in the bureau’s workload since it moved from Academy Street to Union Street where there are usually queues of people looking for help when the doors open at 9.30am.
Each day, an average of 25 people call in person to the office seeking help with a similar number phoning for advice.
The increase in demand follows the introduction of Universal Credit, uncertainties over Brexit plus increasing volumes of debt, benefit and housing problems.
With only 16 trained general advisers available, the bureau felt drastic action was needed to increase volunteer numbers.
Bureau trainer Phil Carr said every home in the Inverness area was targeted during the recruitment drive and there had been a good response from the public.
“We are delighted to be welcoming so many new trainees to the bureau,” he said.
“The leaflet drop and local press interest certainly seems to have worked.
“We hope to get the trainees started on the 13-week training programme as soon as possible.”
