Week Notes- Friday 21st Feb 25

Evidence of the MAGIC in KAMCAB

I am new into the world of Citizens Advice Bureau and there are particular moments when this unique world and culture it creates hits me.

You just never know the IMPACTS that are created in the world of Third Sector and little bits of growth have untold benefits.

As the Manager I just frequently send out links and training to STAFF and VOLUNTEERS without any preconceived ideas.

Like putting out hooks for fishing and surprised when the particular fish do bite.

One of our Volunteers had picked up the bait and training opportunity. Small thing but I had the privilege of hearing her say how much that meant to her. She shared how pleased she had been to overcome her nerves and fear of the technology to undertake the course.

This opened up a converstaion of how far she has come from the place that took her into the Bureua as a client and the 1 hour session with one of our Advisors had cleared the issue that was blocking her after the death of husband. One hour of our Advisor’s time had such an impact on her that she wished to come to us as a Volunteer.

As the saying goes The MAGIC IS IN THE MESS.

Now she is so pleased that she has preserved with the course and keen to put back the benefit she received to others. So taking a course wrestling with IT is a small price to pay for the increase in her confidence and the benefit she will bring to the Bureau and our clients. She felt really proud of herself and walked out that day straighter with increased confidence.

It made me reflect to never take for granted the small steps that the unique environment a Bureau can create and the reach it creates beyond the individual. Our Advisor gives his time freely from his passion. This cascaded to our current Volunteer that took that and found the inner determination to undertake and complete this course. The tools she now has in her bag will be freely given to others to allow them to move on if they wish.

As the saying goes- Volunteers are not paid because they do not have value- They are not paid because they are INVALUABLE. That is so true and is the unique holding structure of all Citizens Advice Bureaus. From the Board members giving of their time down to our Advisor and Admin Team giving their time freely. This is coming from their passion and money cannot buy this. It can buy products and our time but it cannot buy our Passions. In that respect we are Free Beings and Money cannot buy Love.

So as I sit with the HR demands and other challenges it is really a small price as all of it allows the unique pond of our Bureau at KAMCAB to continue the unique work.