VOLUNTEERS at Citizens Advice Monmouthshire donated £40,000 worth of their time in the year up to March 2015.

Shirley Lightbound, chief executive of Citizens Advice Monmouthshire, is using Volunteers Week (1st June to 12th June) to thank the 90 volunteers who gave their time at the local charity over the last 12 months.

Citizens Advice volunteers support people in four offices across the county with face to face and telephone advice. Over the last 12 months they helped local people with 6,391 issues, by: dealing with debt, designing payment plans and negotiating with lenders, improving people’s financial skills, standing up for people’s rights at work if they believe they have been bullied or unfairly dismissed and helping people claim their entitlements like sick pay and maternity pay.

Volunteers also give their time in areas like IT, fundraising and administration.

Many of the people who volunteer for the service are long term and dedicated to the work but Citizens Advice also welcomes those who can only give shorter periods of time and provide training free to all staff and volunteers.

Shirley Lightbound is encouraging local people in Monmouthshire to get in touch about volunteering opportunities.

Shirley said: “Citizens Advice volunteers change lives.

“It is thanks to the generosity of our volunteers that Citizens Advice in Monmouthshire is able to help people take control of their finances, claim entitlements like sick pay and protect their rights at work.

“There are many opportunities to volunteer at Citizens Advice and new volunteers are always welcome.”

A volunteer with the organisation said: “At Citizens Advice if you give your time you get a lot back.

“It is really satisfying being able to help people solve their problems and see that a weight has been lifted off their mind. Being a volunteer at Citizens Advice has also given me an opportunity to learn valuable skills and work with great people.

“I would recommend it to anyone who is thinking about volunteering at Citizens Advice Monmouthshire.”

People interested in volunteering at their local Citizens Advice should email: [email protected] or visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/support-us/volunteering.