Meet the team - Holly, Advice Trainee

At Citizens Advice Wigan Borough (CAWB), we welcome staff and volunteers from all sorts of circumstances. In this blog post, we introduce Hollie, one of the newest members of our team. Hollie is currently on placement with us from university, where she is studying for a BA(Hons) in Social Work.

Hollie is working in our general advice team, helping clients through call backs, webchat and email.

What made you decide to work with CAWB?

I wanted to experience the opportunity of working with a diverse group of individuals in order to broaden my knowledge. I do not have any experience working in social or community care, and having the opportunity to work at CAWB, allows me to experience this.

I am passionate about wanting to make a positive difference within a person's life. By working with CAWB, I can help people to find options to make this happen.

How long have you been working with CAWB?

This will be my 7th week working with CAWB, and I already feel like part of the team. Everyone is enthusiastic to help out when it is needed and extremely supportive.

So far, following my initial training I’ve dealt with queries ranging from people wanting to understand their late relative's will, to enquiries about how we can help with problems at work.

What do you most enjoy about the role?

I enjoy dealing with the variety in difficulties that clients come to Citizens Advice with. Each case is different, which means I learn something new from each client or case. The uniqueness of each case means I get to explore other options in finding a solution.

What's been your most rewarding moment in the role?

The most rewarding part of my experience so far is the “thank you” I receive from people at the end of the case. To be able to provide information to someone in need of help feels like a great achievement.

What would you say to others thinking about volunteering or working for CAWB?

Definitely do it! Being new to the charity sector and having little experience, it can seem daunting at first. However, the whole CAWB team is there to help and support everyone. We can attend training and courses to help further our knowledge, and gaining experience at CAWB is one of the best ways to broaden my knowledge in the community care sector. I have already learnt so much, and I can’t wait to learn more.

What can you say about the service CAWB provides to local residents?

If any local residents need advice for any issue, Citizens Advice will help you try to find a solution. Advisers will use the equipment, resources and knowledge they have to support you to find an answer. This may be as simple as guiding you to the right information on the Citizens Advice website, or explaining your rights and options to you.

If we’re not able to help with a particular issue, we’ll signpost clients to another local or national organisation that can provide the required support.

What do you like to do outside of work?

Outside of work (pre COVID), I enjoy staying active by exploring the outdoors with family. Socialising with friends and family is also another favourite pastime, enjoying each other's company, playing board games and enjoying home cooked meals.