Citizen advice bureaux and the volunteer

Abstract

Following a brief introduction and reference to the Welfare State Context, and selected literature, the voluntary social service agency and the C.A.B. volunteer are reviewed. This includes discussion of the impact of the voluntary organisation, classification of voluntary social welfare organisations and the organisational structure of the C.A.B. Chapter III reviews the literature regarding societal trends, the prevalence of volunteering and the contribution of the volunteer. More directly related to the C.A.B. volunteer, literature on motives, altruism, social status, leisure and religiosity are also considered. 139 volunteers from the seven C.A.Bx. in the Wellington Region for this study are interviewed by means of a self administered questionnaire consisting of 70 items. Results confirm much of the literature reviewed regarding the middle class status, motivation and the personal helpfulness for the volunteer. The high level of altruism which the volunteers reveal is suggested as a further area of research as is volunteering from within the perspective of leisure. The appendices include an extensive review of the development of six of the C.A.Bx. and there is an essay on the C.A.B. from the community work perspective. Other relevant documents are also included in the appendices. The field work for this study took place in April-May 1978.