Citizens Advice praised for "astonishing" pandemic response
20 JANUARY 2022 10:15
Citizens Advice praised for "astonishing" pandemic response
Ceredigion Citizens Advice has been fighting for local people during the pandemic.
During 2020/21 the charity racked up some startling statistics:
- Advised 2500 people
- Dealt with 14000 issues
- Gained £1.7m in extra income for clients
- Reduced debts by over £295k
- Distributed £20k of fuel vouchers
At the AGM last week, UK head of Citizens Advice Dame Clare Moriarty said that Ceredigion Citizens Advice response during the pandemic – in common with other bureaus throughout Britain – had been “astonishing”.
Dame Clare, who met with Ceredigion trustees and staff via zoom, said she was proud of leading a service that had a strong drive to innovate and problem solve to help people.
She added that new ways had to be found to reach out to people especially as covid had widened inequalities.
Sue Chambers, Chair of Ceredigion Citizens Advice said: “It was an absolute pleasure to welcome Dame Clare and to hear about her first months as Head of Citizens Advice UK and to share with her the impact of Citizens Advice locally in Ceredigion. During 20/21 our excellent staff and volunteers continued to deliver our services remotely and reached over 2500 people who raised over 14000 separate issues. This shows the complexity of issues faced by those we help and the breadth of the advice required.”
She also thanked long term funders especially the Welsh Government, Aberystwyth and Cardigan Town Councils plus Pembrokeshire County Council.
And she added that Ceredigion Citizens Advice was now reviewing how and where services were delivered in the county.
“As we move into 2022 we are reviewing how and where our services are delivered throughout Ceredigion and we would be pleased to receive comments from residents about ways we can improve our services,” she said.
Comments can be sent to Ceredigion Citizens Advice by email at enquiries@cabceredigion.org or by post to the office in Napier Street, Cardigan, SA43 1ED,