Citizens Advice Bureau in cash crisis as demand for help rises (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Citizens Advice Bureau in cash crisis as demand for help rises

1:05pm Tuesday 27th October 2009

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A CHARITY that provides vital advice and support to Cotswold people is in urgent need of funding since the number of people needing help rose by 35 percent this year.

Staff and volunteers of the Citizens Advice Bureau bearing collection tins were on the streets of Cirencester on Wednesday, October 14 and raised £90.18 for the Cotswold branch.

“Helping people solve problems before they become crises is what we are here for – and the need has never been greater."

Andrew Banfield

The fundraising event set in the middle of Advice Week, October 12-18, gave the CAB an opportunity to promote the value of advice and the many ways to access it, as well as recruit volunteers.

Andrew Banfield, Cheltenham, Cirencester and Tewkesbury Citizens Advice Bureau Manager, said there had been a “dramatic rise” in the number of people seeking advice, particularly for debt.

The number of clients rose from 6134 to 8255 this year.

“Helping people solve problems before they become crises is what we are here for – and the need has never been greater,” he said.

“Most people are unaware that every Citizens Advice Bureau is an independent registered charity. Without the contribution of 80 trained volunteers, we could not continue to provide this vital service in our local community.”

As part of Advice Week, the Cheltenham, Cirencester and Tewkesbury Citizens Advice Bureau also relaunched their website www.cheltenhamcab.org.uk If you wish to support the CAB by volunteering or raising funds call 01242 522491.

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