Meet the team - Communications and Campaigns
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Welcome to our Meet the Team blog series, where we introduce some of our team members working across the service. This month, we meet our Communications and Campaigns team, Ellie Thouret and Danny Brown.
How long have you been working with CAWB?
We both joined in November 2020, in the middle of lockdown. The last year has certainly changed how CAWB has been able to welcome and train new starters. The charity has adapted its induction processes to reflect the needs of a remote workforce and made use of tools such as Google Chat and video calls to keep connected.
The Communications and Campaigns team is brand new, established by our management team and Board of Trustees to recognise the importance of promoting our services. We want to make sure that all Wigan Borough residents are aware of how our advice services can help them, whoever they are and whatever their needs. It’s been a challenging but exciting time to join the organisation.
What do you most enjoy about the role?
Ellie - Working for CAWB is extremely rewarding. Everyone here wants to help people, and we make a real difference to people’s lives. Within the Communications and Campaigns team, we hear all sorts of client stories and it’s clear the impact our advisers have on people in need. I’m proud to work alongside such dedicated and supportive people.
Danny - It’s nice to work for an organisation like CAWB that does so much good for the local community. We’re doing something different every day, and it’s a lot of fun coming up with creative ideas to promote the service. The advisers make our job a lot easier with all the fantastic work they do, which we then get to share with people.
What is a typical day like in the Communications and Campaigns team?
The work is incredibly varied, so it’s hard to describe a typical day! Some of the things we might do in a typical week are:
Respond to new comments on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts
Speak with our advisers to talk about the kind of cases they’re working on
Plan our next blog post
Design and write reports for our Trustee Board or funders
Meet with colleagues from other local and national Citizens Advice to share ideas
Create GIFs, graphics, and videos to share on our social media channels
Write to local councillors and MPs asking them to back one of our campaigns
What would you say to others thinking about volunteering or working for CAWB?
Ellie - I’d tell them to go for it! It’s a great place to work or volunteer, even remotely. You do need to be resilient, as we come across some difficult stories from our clients’ situations. However, it’s also incredibly rewarding - our advice and campaigns work makes a real difference to people’s lives, and that is an amazing thing to be part of.
Danny - They should do it! It’s a really positive place to work and it’s a good feeling knowing the organisation is making people’s lives better every day. Everyone is really supportive and I’ve personally learnt so much since I’ve been here - I think working for Citizens Advice would be a great opportunity for anyone.
