Thank you for wanting to make a difference in your community!

You can help to make a positive difference to the lives of people in Coventry. The contribution of people like you is vital to our work and we will make sure that your time with us will be rewarding and enjoyable.

We know that people give their time for free for many reasons. You might want to meet people and make new friends, do something positive for your community, have fun, expand your horizons or build your confidence? There are also a host of other ways that volunteering might have a positive impact on your life, such as a boost to your CV or help you to gain a qualification. Whatever your motivation, we believe that volunteering changes lives. 

Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, “What are you doing for others?”

Dr Martin Luther King Jr.

About us

Coventry Independent Advice Service (CIAS) is a registered charity providing independent advice and information on welfare benefits and debt/money problems.  Our service is free, confidential and available to anyone living in Coventry.

• We help to identify and claim benefits, to challenge decisions, to advise on strategies for dealing with problem debt, and to provide information and support on a range of other social welfare issues.
• Our vision is for a city of empowered citizens.  By offering a high-quality advice service, and helping people to make informed decisions, we can make a real difference to individuals, families and the wider community.
• We can also use evidence gained from our service delivery to feed into local and national policy initiatives to influence lasting change.
• At the heart of our strategy is a commitment to reducing inequality and improving quality of life within the city of Coventry.

What can I do to help?

As a volunteer, you can get involved in many different activities. We will give you all relevant training and support and we can also offer a free Level 1 Advice and Guidance qualification from Coventry College.

We currently offer several volunteering opportunities. You can find out more below and there are links to each role. If you are interested in any of the roles, you will find the application form and other details at the bottom of this page.

‘Tell Us’ Research Volunteer

You will be working closely with our Healthwatch project team, helping us to go out and talk to people in the places they are. You will listen to and record the experiences of local residents about the health and social care they have received. This is a people-focused role and would be ideal for someone who is friendly, comfortable with having conversations and meeting new people.

As a money advice support volunteer, you will be working alongside our money advice caseworkers to help assess a client’s case and gather information. You will also be providing initial information, guidance, signposting and supporting our clients to access and use self-help resources. The role also involves administration tasks such as correspondence with creditors, scanning and organising paperwork and applications for financial help from charities and trusts.

Form filling support

As a form filling volunteer, you will help people to complete forms to get the financial support that they need to live. This will include helping people who have a long-term illness or disability to make claims such as Personal Independence Payment, Child Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance and Blue Badge applications. You will also help people who need additional support with reviews for Work Capability Assessments, Universal Credit and Employment Support Allowance.

Grant support

The people who access our services often face huge problems getting the basic things that they need to live like beds, carpets, fridges and washing machines. As a grants support volunteer, you will help and support the team to identify charitable grants and trusts for our clients. You will also help them complete and submit applications by a telephone or a face to appointment.

First contact

You will be the first person that people will talk to when seeking our help at our services in local communities. You will be talking to people to gather the information we need to help them, inputting data onto our database, filling in simple forms, and acting as a trusted point of contact for people who need support.

Helping to raise funds

As a volunteer fundraiser you will be playing an essential role in helping us to help more people. With additional funds we can do more of what we do every day to make a difference and make life better. You will be able to organise your own events and build your own team to help fundraise for the charity. The role is flexible to suit your commitments and interests. We will require a minimum commitment of at least 6 months for this role.

Marketing and Social Media

As a marketing and social media volunteer you will be helping us to create stronger links with the local community and publicise the work excellent work we do to local audiences using a range of channels. You will also be providing marketing and social media support to our CEO. The role is flexible to suit your commitments and interests. We will require a minimum commitment of at least 6 months for this role.

How to apply?

Please read the relevant role description and use the application guidance to help you complete the application form. Please return your completed application form, along with the equality & diversity monitoring form to info@covadvice.org.uk.

You can download the forms and other important information from the links below.

Volunteer application form (online)

Equality and diversity monitoring form (online)

Please email or call 024 7562 1100 if you have any questions or need more information.

Thank you for taking an interest in making life better for your local community by volunteering with us. We look forward to hearing from you!