Following on from their recent Volunteer week celebrations, Community Money Advice Launceston is now searching for new volunteers to join the charity and help to make a difference within the local community.
The Royal Voluntary Service has said that 25 million people in the UK volunteered informally at least once in the year and along with that Volunteering added £4.6 billion in productivity gains to the UK economy in 2024. But CMAL know that the impact felt, thanks to volunteers at a more local level is even greater.
Over the last fourteen years, CMAL has supported over eight hundred and fifty clients, in and around Launceston, who are or have experienced poverty and serious debt with many living with long term physical and mental health conditions, aggravated by stress and anxiety. CMAL have also helped over three hundred and fifty clients claim the benefits they are eligible for thereby increasing their income and making budgeting and staying out of debt a lot easier. They have also supported clients with a combined total, now exceeding, £4 Million of debt. Being in debt can be a frightening experience and many try to ignore money problems, being free from debt takes a huge weight off people’s shoulders and provides them hope for the future. This would not be possible, without the Volunteer advisors who give their time, support, knowledge and expertise to our community.
Community Money Advice Launceston Centre Manager, Sarah Vinson has said “Our volunteers are the heartbeat of CMAL. If you are considering getting more involved in our community, you will be rewarded by meeting new people and working alongside our other volunteers, whilst gaining valuable skills that will give your qualifications a boost. We know time can be tight, that’s why we have flexible volunteering opportunities that let you make a difference at a time that works for you.”
The charity, based in Sheers Barton Barns, is run almost entirely by Volunteers. The variety within the volunteer team includes someone with a financial background, someone who has retired from working within the benefits system, a young person who is building his experience, and retired accountant, teacher and two engineers, all wanting to give back to the community, and more. Being a Volunteer is so varied, and the team are looking for anyone who can give their time.
Being a volunteer with CMAL means not only can you make a difference in our community, but you can gain experience, learn new things, meet new people and gain qualifications too. If you are interested, you can contact CMAL by emailing office@launcestonmoney.co.uk or calling 01566 777407.
Community Money Advice Launceston (CMAL) works to prevent or reduce the impact of poverty by offering free, confidential help & support in the areas of debt advice, budgeting & benefit advice.
