IT Support Volunteer

Citizens Advice Surrey Heath is a local charity that  helps people find a way forward with their problems whoever they are and whatever their problem.  We are here to help people access the right advice and information as well as any appropriate crisis support.  Our service is free, confidential and impartial and we make a difference to peoples' lives.

Our team of approximately 18 staff and 40 volunteers depend on our technology to provide an efficient and effective service so keeping us online, connected and operational is important.  If you have 5-8 hours a week to spare, that's where you can help with your technical know-how and experience.

We are looking for a volunteer experienced in IT to provide:

• complete an introduction to Citizens Advice
• help staff and volunteers with day to day IT issues, for example, trouble logging on to their computer, connecting to wi-fi, finding files
• ensure we are complying with our Cyber Essentials accreditation
• deliver one-to-one or group training about using particular software, such as Google docs
• write instructions about how to do basic IT tasks to help volunteers and staff
• help update the local Citizens Advice website
• commission new PCs/Laptops and Chromebooks with the required software
• service the PCs/Laptops and Chromebooks regularly to ensure that they are still Cyber Essentials compliant
• create Google Forms as necessary and add these to the website when required
• generally support the office with all IT requirements.  We don't expect you to know everything but a willingness to help and find solutions is expected

What’s in it for you? 

• build on and develop skills, in particular IT and communication
• have a positive impact on someone else’s experience of volunteering with the local Citizens Advice
• meet people and build relationships with other volunteers 
• contribute to the smooth running of the advice service which makes a real difference to peoples’ lives 
• increase your employability 

And we’ll reimburse expenses too.

What skills do I need?

You don’t need specific qualifications but you’ll need to have:       

• have good hands-on experience of hardware and software as well as networking and services
• have an interest in problem solving
• have good verbal and written communication skills in order to explain things to non-technical people
• be friendly, patient and approachable
• preferably have some understanding of web design and Wordpress, although this is not essential
• respect views, values and cultures that are different to your own
• be willing to learn about and follow the Citizens Advice aims, principles and policies, including confidentiality and data protection

How much time do you need to give?

We can be flexible about the time spent and how often you volunteer, (although this would be within normal office hours of 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday) so come and talk to us.