On the 13th September, Citizens Advice County Durham is celebrating 80 years of service. A service which delivers free, impartial and confidential advice to everyone in the County.
Information and advice is given to clients of all ages on a wide variety of topics such as debt, benefit, housing and employment. The service can be accessed either face to face across 10 offices, or over the phone using Adviceline. In 2018 alone, over 15,000 people were helped.
Citizens Advice was first established in 1939 to meet the needs of the civilian population in war time. “Although times have changed, the majority of topics haven’t” says John Scollen, Chair Designate. “Not only are we celebrating years gone by with both colleagues, stakeholders and partners, we are also looking forward at how we can deliver a forward-thinking service to see us through the next 80 years”.
Citizens Advice County Durham could not deliver the service without the passion and dedicated support of its staff and volunteers, with the service being made up of 60% volunteers. The demand on the service is ever-increasing and therefore, the need to continuously recruit volunteers is essential. “It’s this kind of hard work and dedication that’s got us where we are now” continues John “Not many organisations reach this milestone. Celebrating 80 years of dedicated service matters, because it shows clients they can depend on us time and time again”.
Problems with the introduction of Universal Credit serve as a timely reminder that in difficult times, support for compassionate organisations and campaigning for current and future generations is more important than ever. With an active and passionate research and campaigns department, Citizens Advice County Durham have made an impressive impact on Government policies over the years, from influencing rationing in wartime and providing extra clothing coupons for pregnant women, to the more recent reforms in the private rental sector.
For more information, visit www.citizensadvicecd.org.uk
