VALUABLE guidance on a variety of everyday matters is available to anyone through the Citizen's Advice Bureau service.

The centre is holding an open day on Wednesday, September 5, from 5pm-7pm, to encourage awareness of facilities, and to attract new volunteers to join the team.

The organisation, in The Avenue, in Leigh town centre, provides a confidential advice service to residents.

Leigh CAB has been around for more than 30 years, and has grown from receiving a few hundred inquiries a year, to more than 20,000 and is continuing to grow, with this year's calls up a third on last year.

Bureau manager Christine Garner said: "We help people with any difficulties, in any aspect of their lives. Our main area is debt and benefit related, but we deal with all issues including employment, housing, family and personal problems, consumer issues, and service problems."

The centre has this year been awarded a contract which offers free solicitors' advice. Home visits and representation at court and tribunals are also available.

A major concern of the CAB is that not enough people know of its existence.

Deputy manager Mark Pilling said: "Most of our clients hear by word of mouth, which is good as it means people are satisfied with the service we offer. But is also means many people don't know about us, which is concerning."

Christine said: "We want to be able to deal with more inquiries over the phone, so need to set up a dedicated telephone advice team."

Volunteers need no experience as full on the job training is provided. A short course must be undertaken, followed by continuous observation and assessment. Candidates can achieve a CAB certificate in general advice work, level three and four NVQs in advice, job experience and vital IT skills. Hours are flexible and can be fitted around the individual.

"The only qualities volunteers need are the ability to listen and understand people," Mark explained. "They must also like working with and helping others."

There could also be the opportunity to go into a paid job at the end of it.

"We managed to get 18 volunteers into paid work last year, which was a good result," said Christine. "We would rather promote our own volunteers, as they already have vital training and experience."

The centre plans to broaden the range of services in the coming months and will hold focus groups to identify ways of improvement.

Christine said: "We will be inviting comments and suggestions from the public, after all it is they who will benefit from sharing their views."

For more information or to volunteer call 01942 761971. HERE TO HELP: CAB deputy manager Mark Pilling