Community Safety
Service: Trading Standards, Community Watchdog Scheme
Opportunities: Watchdogs
The Public Protection Advocate Scheme runs alongside the Watchdog Scheme.
The Advocate Scheme is for any Watchdog who has some extra time to spare to help raise the profile of Public Protection and the work of Trading Standards. The Watchdog Scheme currently has 1,000 members and is the only Scheme of its kind in the Country. We would encourage you to read the information of the work of the Scheme on our website.
Upon becoming an Advocate you will have the opportunity to choose from a range of roles which include:
• Organise and attend community events and libraries to hand out information packs and raise awareness on topics such as scams, rogue traders and consumer advice.
• Attend the office to help create and distribute scam alerts to Watchdogs by both post and email. (based at the Stafford Office)
• General administration duties to help run the Watchdog Scheme (based at the Stafford office)
• Attend quarterly Watchdog Forums to help run the meeting – work could include set up the meeting venue, make refreshments for attendees and take minutes of the meeting. Choice of 9 venues across Staffordshire.
• Raise awareness of the Watchdog Scheme. Across the County but specific needs are currently in the Newcastle and South Staffordshire areas.
• Mentor new Watchdogs and Advocates.
The Scheme is very flexible as we do not ask Advocates to commit to a certain number of hours volunteering. You are free to choose which roles you would prefer and to provide as little or as much time as you can spare. You can read about one of our Watchdogs, Horna here.
Any required training is provided free of charge and any travel expenses incurred for work carried out will be reimbursed.
Based: In your area
Contact details: Contact the Staffordshire County Council Community Development Team (Sarah Byrne) 01785 277835 or email community.development@staffordshire.gov.uk
More information is available here