The spotlight is on the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) with its national Awareness Week that celebrates its mahi (work) and highlights to communities the help and services it offers.

This year’s theme is “Awhi mai, awhi atu – empowered together”.

“It reflects the role of the CAB as a place where the community comes together in the spirit of receiving and giving support and being empowered together,” it says.

“This idea of supporting and empowering people, both individually and collectively, is something we know lots about at CAB.

“It reflects our organisation’s aims – to empower individuals and whānau through our service of advice and information and to empower communities by advocating for fairer laws and policies based on what we learn from our clients.

“If you need help and don’t know who to ask, or if you would like to give back to the community through volunteering with an organisation that helps people individually and collectively, CAB could be the place for you.”

Daily life, the CAB says, can sometimes raise questions, issues and challenges that are tricky for people to deal with on their own.

“It’s good to have a place to go where you can get help with this stuff, where it won’t cost you anything, and the help is confidential and non-judgemental.

“CAB is that place. We will awhi you (show support) with information and advice and connect you with any specialist services you may need.

“We will help you understand what your rights are and can help you with your next steps,” says the CAB.

“It doesn’t matter what your issue is – employment, renting, a relationship matter, an immigration issue, or a consumer problem – we’re here to help you.

“We also provide free clinics for legal, immigration, taxation, and counselling by appointment.

“Working with us, you would get to be part of an organisation that not only empowers individuals and whānau through our service of advice and information, but that also empowers communities by advocating for fairer laws and policies based on what we learn from our clients.

“If you love helping people and your wider community, volunteering with the CAB could be the place for you.

“CAB volunteers receive great training, gain valuable learning and experience through helping clients, and get to work alongside a diverse group of dedicated volunteers, making a positive impact together.”

• To contact the Citizens Advice Bureau, free phone 0800 367 222, or visit the CAB at its two offices in east Auckland, at Pakuranga Plaza in the Pakuranga Library building, or at Botany Town Centre, or send a message via the website www.cab.org.nz.