Vision: Enrich lives through volunteering
Mission: Connect people and transform communities

Reception & Engagement Volunteer - CAB Te Awamutu

Te Awamutu
Organisation:
Citizens Advice Bureau Te Awamutu
Category:
Administration
Hours:
Working Hours

Reception & Engagement Volunteer – Te Awamutu Citizen Advice Bureau (CAB)
At CAB, we support anyone who walks through our door — from people needing everyday advice to those facing emergencies or tough situations. We offer a calm, safe place where everyone is treated with respect and kindness.

We’re looking for volunteers who are great with people, stay calm in stressful moments, and are non-judgmental. Whether you have experience in this kind of work, have faced challenges yourself, or simply want to learn and help others, this role could be a perfect fit.

With a strong female volunteer presence, we’re especially keen to welcome more male and Māori volunteers to help our team better reflect and support the diversity of Te Awamutu.

As a Reception & Engagement Volunteer, you’ll be the friendly face and voice people first meet on Justice of the Peace Clinic days. You’ll answer calls, welcome visitors, and help them feel understood and supported.

You won’t be doing interviews yet — these are one-on-one sessions where an experienced volunteer sits down with someone needing personal help. As a Reception & Engagement Volunteer, you’ll work alongside these volunteers, and if you enjoy the role and want to do more, there’s a clear path to train and take on community support interviewer duties later on.

Getting started is simple — you’ll complete one easy online training module at home or in the office, plus an induction to learn how we work and meet the team.

We know volunteering takes commitment, so you’ll have a probation period of 4 to 12 weeks, depending on your availability. During this time, a volunteer buddy will support you, helping build your confidence and answer any questions.

The kind of person we’re looking for:

  • Friendly and approachable, someone who helps others feel comfortable and supported
  • Calm under pressure, able to stay focused and steady when things get busy
  • Non-judgmental and respectful toward everyone who walks through our door
  • Willing to step up, learn new skills, and take on responsibility

Your day-to-day will look like this:

  • Greet visitors and make sure they’re welcomed and directed
  • Answer phone calls and solve problems as they come up
  • Work alongside interviewers, supporting them in helping others
  • Take part in training and build confidence with support from a volunteer buddy

We’re looking for dependable people looking to support their community in a hands-on way, develop practical skills, and volunteer on a schedule that works for them. Your mahi directly supports the wellbeing of the Te Awamutu community.

Requirements:

Must-haves:

  • You must be 18 years or older to volunteer in this role.
  • Fluency in English is absolutely essential to communicate clearly and confidently.
  • Must be able to travel independently to Te Awamutu for your shifts.
  • A genuinely friendly and respectful attitude, you’ll be meeting people from all walks of life who come to CAB seeking help.
  • The ability to stay calm and steady, even when dealing with stressful or emotional situations, helping visitors feel safe and supported.

What’s important:

  • Strong communication skills, you’ll need to connect well with visitors and work smoothly with the team.
  • Basic computer skills like using Google are necessary. We’ll train you to use our intranet, so you can quickly find what you need every day.
  • Flexibility and patience are key, as no two days or visitors are the same.

Bonus skills:

  • Experience with Microsoft Outlook and Word is helpful but not required, we’re happy to provide training to get you comfortable.

A Ministry of Justice background check is required for this role.

Time commitment:
  • We hope you can help for one 4-hour shift each week.
  • Shifts are on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday mornings.
  • If weekly doesn’t work, you can help every two weeks or once a month.
  • We ask for a minimum commitment of 6 months because of the training involved.
  • Reliable and consistent volunteers will be supported with references if needed, based on how you settle into the role and your commitment.

Getting started:
The first step is to express your interest by filling out the form below. We will then put you in touch directly with the organisation for more information on the role and how to proceed.

Ref: 2585

Apply for this role:

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Demographic information:
Used anonymously for statistics to demonstrate our impact to funders.
Other information (optional):
In applying for this position I confirm that I have read the requirements of the position and believe I have the skills and attributes required to carry out this role safely and effectively.
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