Volunteer recruitment top of agenda at Citizens Advice AGM
Volunteer recruitment was front and centre when Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell held a well-attended annual general meeting this week.
E&E Mayor Rob Geleit, CAEE Chair of Trustees Yvette Ball and CEO Lisa Davis all spoke of volunteers’ crucial role in the charity’s work. And all raised the urgent need for more local people to help meet increasing demand.
Another 85 years!
Mayor Geleit who chaired the meeting appealed to residents who could offer anything from half a day a week upwards to think about coming forward. Cllr Geleit has chosen CAEE as one of his charities of the year. He said:
‘CAEE wants and needs to be here for another 85 years and this year I want to do my part in helping that to happen. I have chosen this charity as I greatly support the work it does and the outcomes it achieves for local people.’
Appreciation
Yvette Ball in her summary of the year thanked all volunteers and staff for going the extra mile for clients. She highlighted some of the year’s achievements including re-instating face to face support and new outreach sessions.
Yvette also expressed the charity’s appreciation of its generous funders and partners as shown in Annual Report 2022/23. Their financial and in-kind support made everything possible from the day to day advice service and vital projects meeting special needs. Looking forward she said:
‘Our areas of focus for the coming year are: income generation; volunteer recruitment; and enhancing our brand, which will all mean we reach more people in need of the help we offer.’
‘Our backbone’
Lisa Davis shared with the meeting that the day before the AGM was 5 years precisely since she joined CAEE. ‘Each and every day since September 2018, I have been in awe of the work of the most amazing staff and volunteers…..I feel honoured to work alongside them.’
Of the coming year Lisa said: ‘Volunteers are our backbone and we need more to ensure we can meet demand and extend our services. We will focus on recruitment and retention of a diverse group of volunteers to increase our capacity ’ Full information and how to get in touch.
Among the friends and supporters of CAEE attending were: Cllrs Alison Kelly, Steve Lloyd, Steven McCormick and representatives of Peacock & Co, Epsom & Ewell Times, Epsom Pantry, Epsom Refugee Network, Epsom Methodist Church, Stoneleigh & Auriol Residents Association.
