Visit to Herefordshire Citizens Advice Bureau
03/04/2014
By 2013 Bob Tabor
On Thursday 20th March 2014, Bob visited the Herefordshire Citizens Advice Bureau in St Owen Street, Hereford. The visit was organised by Claire Keetch, Chief Executive of CAB and he was welcomed by Claire and Brian Roe, the Chair of Trustees. They gave a brief outline of the structure of CAB in Herefordshire and the wide variety of work carried out by the staff and volunteers of the Bureau as well as the issues faced.
Bob was then introduced to Sonya Gregory, Receptionist who outlined the start of the process for clients visiting the bureau. He then met Mike Hill who is the Volunteer Supervisor. Mike explained the advice process operated by CAB and the different roles within it. He also demonstrated the Bureau’s Information System AdviserNet. Bob was astounded by the extensive knowledge required by the volunteers and staff at CAB in order to deal with the huge variety of queries which they receive.
Following his meeting with Mike Hill, Bob met Lynsey Flight, Money Advice Caseworker; Jo Appellbee, Bronwen McCarthy and Jacqui Gardener who make up the Macmillan Welfare Benefits Team and Gay Cheeseman who is the a Welfare Benefits Caseworker and the Social Policy Co-ordinator. This gave Bob the opportunity to discuss with some specialist caseworkers the nature and scope of their work with clients.
Bob was then delighted to meet the remaining staff and volunteers over a light sandwich lunch. Brian Roe made a short speech and Bob responded.
Bob was greatly impressed by the amount and variety of work carried out by CAB. It provides a vital service for Herefordshire and is fortunate to have very dedicated and hardworking staff and volunteers.
