PEOPLE in West Devon who need help from the Citizens' Advice Bureau (CAB) will find the organisation easier to contact, thanks to a substantial increase in its telephone helpline service in Okehampton.

The organisation has been on a major recruitment campaign to boost the size of its Okehampton volunteer team to answer calls on the helpline in the Okehampton bureau, located in the Ockment Centre.

In December, the CAB put out a call for around 12 volunteers to help the service, so that the organisation can meet the high volume of calls from people seeking information or advice on their problems.

With only a couple more volunteers needed, training for volunteers is due to start this month.

Bureau manager Viki Phillips said: 'The expanded Adviceline service is planned to go live in Okehampton on April 1. The Adviceline service will run across several offices in Devon, specifically in Okehampton and Barnstaple for our area.

'Both offices will be run part-time within the one group to make up a full service throughout the week.

'Due to the expansion of the Advice service we are expecting an extra 10,000 enquiries coming in to all bureaux, bringing the total to 25,000 calls a year.

'It is difficult to put a figure on exactly how much will come through Okehampton, but with Adviceline running here three days a week, it should be a well-used service.

'We have already got about eight volunteers through a recruitment drive but ideally we would like another four or five to run the service.

'Our volunteers get full training and learn skills which can be translated to the workplace or day-to-day life.

'We are always looking for volunteers not just for Adviceline but for face to face meetings too.'

The expansion of the Okehampton Adviceline service is being funded through Advice West Devon, a partnership project involving seven local organisations and funded by the National Lottery.

Shirley Hooton, project service manager at Advice West Devon, said: 'The Advice West Devon project is focused on prevention and early intervention.

'That's why the project has part funded the local expansion of the CAB Adviceline, which is available right through from Monday to Friday during working hours so most people can find a convenient moment to call.

'Often one problem can quickly lead to others, for instance losing a job soon means a person can't pay their rent or their bills. 

'By making it easy for people to get help quickly and take steps to resolve things, Adviceline reduces the number of people that end up needing more complex advice or support.'

The new service should make it much easier for people to get in touch with the local CAB service and get advice on a range of issues.

Viki Phillips said: 'Adviceline offers more channels of contact for people wanting to get in touch with us.

'We have found that young people often prefer to call rather than organise a face to face visit with us. People can have our Advice Guide website open in front of them while talking to us through Adviceline.

'It also means that people in rural areas have access to the service without having to visit the office or arrange a meeting.

'We are really looking forward to being part of the Devon-wide service and are excited to offer this extended service for our clients in the community.'

Volunteers in Citizens' Advice bureaux across Devon work in collaboration to try to answer as many calls from people across the county as possible. But demand is so high many people are currently unable to get through.

The expansion to the service is hoped to meet this demand.

For more information visit the website at http://www.westdevoncab.org.uk">www.westdevoncab.org.uk or call the advice line on 03444 111444. To find out more about volunteering opportunities email [email protected]">[email protected] or [email protected]">[email protected]