Citizens Advice

Last updated

Citizens Advice [1]
Founded1939 [2]
Type Charitable organisation [3]
Registration no.279057 [4]
Focus Advice [3]
Location
  • Head office: Citizens Advice, 3rd Floor North, 200 Aldersgate Street, London, EC1A 4HD [5]
Coordinates 51°31′04″N00°05′51″W / 51.51778°N 0.09750°W / 51.51778; -0.09750
Area served
United Kingdom 316 branches nationally. [4]
MethodTelephone, face to face, e-mail, webchat
Key people
Clare Moriarty (Chief Executive) [6]
Revenue
£99 million (2016/2017) [7]
Employees
7,000 [8]
Volunteers
21,600 [4] (2015)
Website www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Citizens Advice [n 1] (previously Citizens Advice Bureau [9] [n 2] and also known as Cyngor ar Bopeth [n 3] in Welsh [10] ) is an independent organisation specialising in confidential information and advice to assist people with legal, debt, consumer, housing and other problems in the United Kingdom. [11] [12]

Contents

The twin aims of the Citizens Advice service are "to provide the advice people need for the problems they face" [13] and secondly "to improve the policies and principles that affect people's lives". [13] This research and campaigns agenda also known as "social policy" [14] is more preventative in nature and designed to stop problems arising in the first place.

Citizens Advice organisations emerged in the 1930s linked to the emergence of a fledgling social welfare service and the outbreak of World War II. [15] Public funding for the organisation was cut following the war but restored during the 1960s and a government grant in 1973 allowed the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux (NACAB) to expand the charity. [15] Citizens Advice has grown to be the largest independent advice provider in the United Kingdom. [16] There are also a number of Citizens Advice organisations that base themselves on the United Kingdom advice charity mainly in parts of the Commonwealth including Australia, [17] New Zealand, [18] and Gibraltar. [19]

In 2013 the Citizens Advice Adviceguide website was visited by one third of United Kingdom's online population [10] and Citizens Advice's own research shows that four in ten of the British population contact Citizens Advice at some point during their lives. [20] In 2014 Citizens Advice celebrated its 75th anniversary [21] and in 2015 the charity was named Charity of the Year at the 2015 Charity Awards. [22] During the ten year leadership of the former Chief Executive Gillian Guy Citizens Advice expanded its remit taking on the contract for the Witness Service [23] and the face-to-face advice element of Pension Wise. [24]

History

Origins

Godalming Citizens Advice (pictured) in Godalming, Surrey is one of 316 Citizens Advice offices in the United Kingdom. Godalming Citizens Adivce.jpg
Godalming Citizens Advice (pictured) in Godalming, Surrey is one of 316 Citizens Advice offices in the United Kingdom.

The origins of the modern Citizens Advice service can be traced back to the Betterton Report on Public Assistance from 1924. [25] This report recommended that advice centres should be set up to offer members of the public advice to help them with their problems. During the 1930s, as preparations and plans were drawn up for the possibility of war, the role that the voluntary sector should have was determined. The National Council for Social Service (NCSS) called a meeting in 1938 in which plans to establish "Citizens Aid Bureaux" were devised in the event of war. [26] The first 200 bureaux opened on 4 September 1939, [27] four days after World War II started. Many of these initial bureaux were run by "people of standing" in the community. In The Story of The Citizens' Advice Bureaux Brasnett states that the typical bureau would include "a committee chairman the editor of a respected county paper, as treasurer a local bank manager; and among the members the manager of the employment exchange, an estate agent who was able to lend part of a house for offices". [28] Brasnett also describes a range of groups running provincial bureau including Toc H, Rotary Clubs and Soroptomist Clubs. [29] Brasnett states in The Story of the Citizens' Advice Bureau that these first bureau were mainly offshoots of established organisations in London and other large provincial cities. These organisations included the Charity Organisation Society (now the Family Action) and the London Council of Social Service, the Liverpool Personal Service Society, the City of Glasgow Society of Social Service, the Birmingham Citizens' Society (now the Birmingham Council of Social Service). [29] By 1942, there were 1,074 bureaux [27] in a wide range of improvised offices such as cafes, church halls, private homes and air-raid shelters. Sheffield set up in the cloisters of Sheffield Cathedral after its premises were bombed during World War II and another bureau worked in Chislehurst Caves. [29] Mobile offices also became important in ensuring that people could access advice. Many of the issues dealt with during that time were directly related to the war. These included the tracing of missing servicemen or prisoners of war, evacuations, pensions and other allowances. [30] The Independent describes Citizens Advice at this time as "clearing houses for family and personal problems that abound from war conditions", with common issues being lost ration books and debt issues as men went off to fight in World War II. [31]

Post-war history

Many war time bureaux closed at the end of the war, [32] although it was apparent that there was still a need for the services that had been established. A particular problem was the chronic housing shortage in the years immediately following the end of the war. In the 1950s, the funding was cut and by 1960 there were only 415 bureaux. The Citizens Advice service continued due to charitable support from groups such as the Nuffield Foundation, Carnegie Trust and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. [33] In 1972, The Citizens Advice service became independent. Before then, the national organisation was part of NCSS (National Council of Social Services) and most bureaux were run by the local CVS (Council for Voluntary Service). In 1973, the government funded NACAB, the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux, to enlarge the network. The 1984 afternoon television drama series Miracles Take Longer depicted the type of cases that a 1980s branch would have to deal with. [34] David Harker became CEO in 1997. He led Citizens Advice until 2010 and during that time oversaw a massive IT overhaul. [35]

Since 2003, the operating name of the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux changed to Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Cymru or Cyngor ar Bopeth [36] in Wales. [37] In the same year Citizens Advice became the first advice sector organisation to begin to audit the quality of their advice. [37] In 2008/9, there were 416 member bureaux offering advice from over 3,300 locations in England and Wales [38] and a further 22 bureaux in Northern Ireland all of which are independent charities. Despite the large number of volunteers working for the organisation, level of demand for the service often far outstrips resources. Citizens Advice has recently begun looking at ways to reach all members of the community through new mediums such as email advice and digital TV. Another initiative has been allowing university students to train as advisers to gain credits toward their degree. This was pioneered by a partnership between the University of Portsmouth and Portsmouth Citizens Advice Bureau and is also now available at Birmingham City University, University of Reading, University of Northampton, Glasgow Caledonian University, and University of Glasgow. Training as a Citizens Advice adviser can earn a person up to six months off a training contract if training as a solicitor. [39]

Recent history

Gillian Guy became Chief Executive in 2010 [6] and under her leadership a modernisation process took place which involved a rebrand of the Citizens Advice service and the introduction of new advice methods including webchat. She was succeeded by Clare Moriarty in April 2021. [40]

At the start of Guy's tenure Citizens Advice faced a budget cut of 9% [41] however finances have recently improved with the charity increasing its income from £62m to £77m between 2013 and 2015. [42] This is largely a result of Citizens Advice taking over roles that were previously performed by the quangos the Office of Fair Trading and Consumer Futures. [42] During 2012 and 2013 Citizens Advice adopted an Equality Strategy known as 'Stand Up For Equality' which aims to embed an equality agenda in all work Citizens Advice does. [37] [43] In 2014 Citizens Advice took over the role that Victim Support played in supporting court witnesses. This contract is worth £24m. This service was renamed the Witness Service. [44] Also in 2014 Citizens Advice took over the role of Consumer Futures (previously Consumer Focus) which represents consumers of regulated industries (energy and the postal service). [37] In 2015 Citizens Advice began to deliver Pension Wise guidance. [45] In 2015 Citizens Advice adopted a rebrand dropping the 'Bureau' from its name. The rebrand cost £1 million which includes £215,000 for research and development, £450,000 in financial support to implement the changes and £300,000 to cover local costs such as posters and materials. [46] The rebrand was criticised by Steve Johnson the Chief Executive Officer of AdviceUK who described it as "facile". [47] However, evidence from Citizens Advice focus groups found that while the charity was well known the brand was considered somewhat “tired” or “old fashioned”. [48]

In 2019-20, the organisation's revenues were £139.1 million. [49]

In 2015 Citizens Advice piloted a webchat service allowing people to contact Citizens Advice advisers online [50] both via online instant messenger service and via e-mail. Data from 2015 showed that 7% of all enquiries to Citizens Advice were through the webchat service [48] and 80,000 webchat enquiries were answered. [51]

In 2016 Citizens Advice was featured in a BBC documentary called Battling with Benefits . [52] It explored the work of Bridgend Citizens Advice in Wales and their work on issues such as the bedroom tax, Job Seekers' Allowance "sanctions" and appeals for Employment Support Allowance and Personal Independence Payment in light of the Conservative Government's cuts to the social security system.

Aims and principles

The Citizens Advice service in England and Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland is guided by four principles. These are:

Although an independent and impartial organisation Citizens Advice has a peculiar relationship with Government in that it is dependent upon Government for funding but also acts as a high-profile critic of government policy. At a Citizens Advice conference in 1957 Lord Denning, then Lord Justice of Appeal described the complex relationship between Citizens Advice and the state describing how Citizens Advice was "supported indeed by the state, but not controlled by it; supported by local authorities but not controlled by them, and, I hope like the law, never to be controlled by any public authority". [54] [55]

All Citizens Advice Bureaux and workers for the bureaux must adhere to these principles, and bureaux must demonstrate that they adhere to these principles in order to retain membership of the national umbrella bodies. Citizens Advice state that their vision "is that everyone will be able to access free advice to find a way forward". [4] They also state that their "charitable mission is to provide advice that helps people to overcome their problems and come together to campaign on big issues when their voices need to be heard". [4]

Funding

Citizens Advice funding sources for 2014/2015. The majority of Citizens Advice funding comes from government sources. Citizens Advice Funding Sources.png
Citizens Advice funding sources for 2014/2015. The majority of Citizens Advice funding comes from government sources.

The trade publication Third Sector state that around 60% of Citizens Advice funding comes from government sources. [6] It has been argued that there is a tension in the relationship between Citizens Advice and government as while the charity relies on government funding to survive it is most effective as a high-profile critic of government policy. [56] Local bureaux received funding of £167m in 2014. [42] Although Citizens Advice is a national charity local bureaux are responsible for raising their own funding. [57] Some of this may come from 'The Big Lottery Fund' which distributes money raised through the National Lottery for 'good causes,' from local authorities or from other services such as the Legal Services Commission. [57] Citizens Advice suffered cuts during the recession flowing from the Global Financial Crisis and over 100 Citizens Advice offices have closed or lost as a result of merger since 2009. [6] Others resorted to reduced services. [58] Some Councils have been forced to cut funding for Citizens Advice services [59] and these cuts led to complaints that Citizens Advice was not meeting growing needs for its services during a period of high demand. [57] [60] Newcastle Citizens Advice faced a threat of closure in 2016 after Newcastle Council proposed large cuts to its funding. [61] In February 2016, Derby City Council decided that it would no longer fund the city's Citizens Advice, leaving Derby as the only city in the UK not to have a Citizens Advice Service, according to its CEO. [62]

Both Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland are registered charities and are financed partly by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, although both organisations are completely independent of central government. Member bureaux also pay heavily subsidised subscriptions for the services offered. They often receive significant funding by local authorities, and local solicitors may agree to provide limited legal advice pro bono. In 2013 the then Consumer Minister Jo Swinson announced a further £9.5m in order for the charity to champion consumer work [63] and in 2015 Martin Lewis founder of Money Saving Expert donated £1m to Citizens Advice. [64] [65] In 2016 it was announced that the money Martin Lewis donated would be used to create a fund called the 'Martin Lewis Fund' and this money would be used to improve front line services. [66]

Advicework

Citizens Advice service's work involves providing advice on issues such as debt management and welfare benefits, housing, immigration, employment, consumer complaints and landlord-tenant disputes. Citizens Advice calculated that in 2016 it helped 2.7 million people with 6.3 million problems. [67] There were also 48 million visits to their digital service.

Advice is available in the bureaux, but also in community venues, in people's homes, by phone, [68] by e-mail and online both via a Webchat service [69] and the Citizens Advice public site known as "Advice Guide". [38] Figures from 2016 show that Citizens Advice has around 600 staff members in GP surgeries. [70]

Telephone advice also known as Adviceline can be accessed in English and a bilingual service in Wales. [68] One Citizens Advice page shows in real time what individuals are searching for on the website, what searches from the search engine Google caused an individual to reach the Citizens Advice page and what Citizens Advice website content is most popular. [71] [72] Citizens Advice also runs a consumer helpline to help with consumer issues. [73] The most popular areas of enquiry are benefits and debt with housing the third most popular enquiry area. Each Citizens Advice office operates differently. Some will have specialist staff that deal with certain cases such as debt or housing. Some operate a 'Gateway' system which means clients are booked for advice at a later appointment and other Citizens Advice offer 'drop in' Generalist Advice sessions. At some Citizens Advice offices solicitors may offer short appointments on a pro bono basis as a way of gaining clients.

Citizens Advice has a number of advice partnerships with organisations [74] in areas including money [75] [76] and partnership with Macmillan to help those affected by cancer. [77] Citizens Advice has a partnership with the housing advice charity Shelter called the National Homelessness Advice Service which is able to offer advisers specialist housing and homelessness advice. [78] The partnership is funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government. [78] From 2015 Citizens Advice offices have been used to deliver Pension Wise guidance. [79] Citizens Advice research shows that 25% of those who visit for a Pension Wise appointment go on to ask Citizens Advice for further advice on debts, benefits or tax. [80]

Citizens Advice also engages in preventative work in order to prevent problems arising in the first place. [81] Citizens Advice is the Government-funded provider of consumer education in Great Britain. [82] There are 11 Consumer Empowerment Partnerships that work closely with Trading Standards. A financial capability agenda helps people to manage their money so as to not develop money problems in the first place. [83] Citizens Advice also produces education resources to improve financial capability and consumer education. [84] [85] [86] A Partnerships Intelligence Team works in order to support the work of regulators. One example of this is research on continuous payment authorities in order to help the Financial Conduct Authority better regulate them. [87]

Research and campaigns

The Citizens Advice service, both locally and nationally, also uses clients' problems as evidence to influence policy makers to review laws or administrative practices which cause undue difficulties to clients, in a process referred to as "Social Policy". At a national level Citizens Advice engages in policy research in order to recommend policy changes. [88] Current research areas include mental health [89] domestic abuse, [90] problems in the private rented sector, [91] welfare, [92] work, [93] pensions, [94] energy policy [95] and the postal service. [96]

A public affairs team works to influence Government both in Westminster and the devolved institutions. There is also a Citizens Advice All-Party Parliamentary Group that provides a forum for Members of Parliament who are interested in the work of Citizens Advice. [97] Citizens Advice produces constituency data that can be used by Parliamentarians to improve how they complete their own case work. Advice Trends data is published at a national and local level. [98] Consumer Advice Trends data is also published [99] [100] as is data for Wales alone [101] and data on the performance of energy suppliers and the postal service. [102]

Current campaigns include:

Impact

Citizens Advice measures the impact of its advice across a range of areas. [111] [112] Citizens Advice research has calculated that for every £1 spent on the Citizens Advice service the Government saves £1.96 [113] and £8.74 in wider economic and social benefits and £11.98 in benefit to individuals. [113] Research shows that Citizens Advice affects the most disadvantaged in society with Citizens Advice clients five times more likely to live in poverty than the average member of the United Kingdom population. [113] Citizen Advice's own research has also shown that volunteering has positive benefits in terms of helping people gain practical skills and improving mental health. [114] Each year 31% of Citizens Advice's volunteers leave the service for paid employment and it has been calculated that the work of Citizens Advice volunteers is worth £111 million. [115] Citizens Advice's campaigns work has had a number of successes including the Financial Conduct Authority capping payday loans. [116] A Twitter hashtag #CABlive is used to publicise the work of Citizens Advice on social media. [117]

Advice and health improvement

Research conducted in 2016 found that 4 in 5 of Citizens Advice clients felt stressed, depressed or anxious and 3 in 5 clients felt their physical health had become worse as a result of their practical problem. [118]

There is a growing body of evidence which shows that tackling practical problems through advice improves health and wellbeing. National Citizens Advice Impact research reports that 70% of clients said they felt less stressed and 46% said their physical health improve after advice. Of Citizens Advice clients experiencing long-term conditions, 57% said they were better able to manage their condition. [119]

Citizens Advice has also investigated the impact that practical problems have on health professional's time. The research report "A Very General Practice" estimates that 19% of GP appointments are spent dealing with non-clinical problems. 98% of IAPT practitioners that responded to Citizens Advice research reported that they had dealt with a patient's non-health problems during an appointment in the past month and 57% reported the proportion of time they spend on non-health issues has increased compared to last year. [109]

In 2016 Citizens Advice was appointed to the National Health and Wellbeing Alliance. [120] Working with the Department of Health, NHS England, Public Health England and the 23 members of the Alliance, Citizens Advice uses its data and evidence to reduce health inequalities, which is one of the key aims of the Alliance.

Governance

A Trustee Board provides strategic direction and vision for the organisation. [121] The Chief Executive working with the Executive Team is responsible for delivering the board's vision.

Below the Trustee Board a number of committees exist:

Organisation

The Citizens Advice service is one of the largest volunteer organisations in the United Kingdom with 21,600 volunteers. The majority of these are part-time volunteer advisers, but the figure also includes trustees and administrators. While volunteers have varying levels of training, they are all required to receive basic training to ensure they fully understand the nature of the service including the four basic principles. Typically there will be a paid bureau manager, some paid advice session supervisors and in some cases some paid advisers. Some staff may be qualified to give specialist legal advice or to advise on immigration. Each Citizens Advice is an affiliated to the national organisation but they are managed and run locally. [122] Many bureaux are also limited companies and may have a board of directors, who will also be the organisation's trustees. Bureaux throughout the United Kingdom have varying community needs and very different resources, and consequently offer different styles and levels of service. All bureaux in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are members of Citizens Advice, the operating name of The National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux. Northern Ireland bureaux are also members of the Northern Ireland Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux (NIACAB). Bureaux in Scotland are members of Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS), part of the Scottish Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux. Citizens Advice holds an Annual Conference each year. [123] In 2015 this was held at the University of Warwick. [123]

Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland act as umbrella bodies for the bureaux in the UK. They provide access to information, training courses and consultancy services for all bureaux, and regularly audit individual bureaux against the requirements of their respective membership standards. All bureaux try to ensure their services are accessible to all sections of the community, so that provision can be made for the housebound, immigrant communities, rural inhabitants, elderly and disabled as appropriate. Membership of Citizens Advice gives each bureau access to the national information portal, known as AdviserNet and to internet access provided through a Virtual Private Network. Information on clients' problems and the advice offered to them is entered into the Casebook national database. Its predecessor system was Petra and before that CASE. [124]

Citizens Advice has a number of diversity groups known as Self Organised Network Groups (SONGs). These include:[ citation needed ]

Citizens Advice Scotland

Leith Citizens Advice (pictured) is one of 61 local Citizens Advice offices serving Scotland. Leith Bureau 2015.png
Leith Citizens Advice (pictured) is one of 61 local Citizens Advice offices serving Scotland.

Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS), formally the Scottish Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux (SACAB), is a registered charity. Based in Edinburgh it comprises 61 member bureaux, including a national helpline (Citizens Advice Direct). Together these free local and national services provide legal advice, practical help and information on consumer and political rights across the country. CAS provides central support to local bureaux with management, research, fundraising, IT support, training and campaigning. CAS launched a national helpline in 2005, called Citizens Advice Direct, staff were based in Glasgow city centre. [125]

In 2012 a study showed that most of CAS's activity was the provision of advice across five areas: benefits, debt, employment, housing and relationship. [126] In 2012, there were concerns that five of the bureaux in Glasgow might close, however they remained open after accepting a new funding offer. [127] CAS has been registered as a charity since 3 August 1984, currently registered as a charitable company with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR), Scottish charity number SC 016637. [128] According to 2016 statistics Citizens Advice Scotland helped 300,000 clients [129] and put £120 million into the pockets of people seeking help in 2015/16 and help reduce the amount owed by those seeking debt advice by £27 million. [130]

Citizens Advice Northern Ireland

Citizens Advice Northern Ireland are now known as Community Advice. It is Northern Ireland's largest advice charity. There are advice services covering each council area. [131] In Northern Ireland Citizens Advice advises over 95,000 people per year. [131]

Citizens Advice Cymru

In Wales Citizens Advice Cymru has a network of 20 bureaux giving advice at 375 locations. [132] According to the latest available statistics (2013/14) these bureau advised 134,000 clients and dealt with 337,000 advice issues. The Adviceline telephone service is bilingual and is able to offer advice in both English and Welsh. [133]

In other nations

Organisations modelled on Citizens Advice have been created in other nations outside of the United Kingdom. All of these organisations are autonomous and are not in any way controlled by the British organisation although some have adopted the branding of the British Citizens Advice. The Citizens Advice Bureau serving Western Australia has 10 branches of Citizens Advice Bureau and uses the same branding as the British charity. [134] New Zealand has over 80 Citizens Advice Bureau branches throughout the North and South Island. [135] There is also a Spanish Citizens Advice Bureau organisation aimed at helping British expats in Spain [136] and a Gibraltan Citizens Advice Bureau. [19] An unrelated organisation Citizens Advice International was established in 2004 to promote free advice services [137] and to promote Citizens Advice organisations throughout the world. [138]

See also

Notes and references

Notes

  1. Citizens Advice is the operating name of The National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux which is the umbrella charity for a wider network of local advice centres. The abbreviation CitA is sometimes used to refer to this national Citizens Advice organization. Citizens Advice does not use an apostrophe in its title something the organisation dropped during the 1980s. However it appears in earlier usage for instance Margaret Brassnett's 1964 publication The Story of the Citizens' Advice Bureau.
  2. The abbreviation CABx, short for Citizens Advice Bureaux, is sometimes used to refer collectively to local Citizens Advice offices.
  3. Cyngor ar Bopeth translates as 'advice on everything'

References

  1. 1 2 "Citizens Advice launches £1m rebrand and modernisation programme and drops the word 'bureau'". Civilsociety.co.uk. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  2. "History of the Citizens Advice service". Citizens Advice. Archived from the original on 18 November 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  3. 1 2 "National Association of Citizens Advice Bureau - Directory of charities and suppliers". Civil Society. Archived from the original on 21 November 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Citizens Advice annual report 2014/15 (PDF) (Report). August 2015.
  5. "Our administrative offices". Citizens Advice. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  6. 1 2 3 4 02 March 2015, Be the First to Comment. "Gillian Guy to step down as Chief Executive". Citizens Advice.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. "Annual Report 2016/2017" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 November 2018. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  8. "News: WIG are delighted to announce and welcome our latest new members, Bombardier, Citizens Advice and Research Councils UK - The Whitehall & Industry Group". Wig.co.uk. Archived from the original on 24 November 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  9. "Citizens Advice £1m re-brand slammed as 'facile' by Advice UK". Lag.org.uk. Archived from the original on 18 November 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  10. 1 2 "75 for the 75th appeal |". Blogs.citizensadvice.org.uk. 18 August 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  11. Jill Insley (3 September 2011). "Citizens Advice cuts threaten the most vulnerable | Money". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  12. "On the front line with the Citizens Advice Bureau". BBC News.
  13. 1 2 "Campaigns". Enfieldcab.org.uk. Archived from the original on 18 November 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  14. "Citizens Advice Oxfordshire :: Campaigning". Caox.org.uk. 17 November 2015. Archived from the original on 18 November 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  15. 1 2 "History of the Citizens Advice service". Citizens Advice. Archived from the original on 18 November 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  16. "About". Chelmsford CAB. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  17. "Citizens Advice Bureau - Home". Cabwa.com.au. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  18. "CAB New Zealand- Free Advice". Cab.org.nz. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  19. 1 2 "gcab". Cab.gi. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  20. "What we do and how we can help". Citizens Advice. Archived from the original on 18 November 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  21. Jack Simpson. "Citizens Advice Bureau 75 year anniversary: Geese too loud? Lost false teeth? We can help! Celebrating seven decades of the CAB | Home News | News". The Independent. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  22. "Citizens Advice named 'Charity of the Year'! | Rural Devon Citizen's Advice Bureau". Ruraldevoncab.org.uk. 13 October 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  23. "Citizens Advice succeeds Victim Support running £12m-per-year court witness service". Civilsociety.co.uk. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  24. "Government reveals Pension wise brand for new pensions guidance". Citizens Advice. 12 January 2015. Archived from the original on 18 November 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  25. Fisher, G. (2009) Advice on Everything: A History of the Citizens Advice Bureau in Harrow 1939-2009, www.citizensadvice.org.uk/harrow_cab_history.pdf
  26. "History of the Citizens Advice service". Citizens Advice. Archived from the original on 17 November 2019. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
  27. 1 2 "Harlow CAB". Harlowcitizensadvice.org.uk. Archived from the original on 26 November 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  28. Margaret E. Brasnett. "Organising". Cab94.tripod.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
  29. 1 2 3 Margaret E. Brasnett for Citizens Advice Bureaux. "Citizens Advice Bureaux - Beginnings". Cab94.tripod.com. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
  30. "The Story of The Citizens' Advice Bureaux - Asking". Cab94.tripod.com. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
  31. "Citizens Advice Bureau 75 year anniversary: Geese too loud? Lost false". independent.co.uk. 7 September 2014.
  32. Sloviter, D. (1979) Let's look at the Citizens Advice Bureaux, American Bar Association Journal, April 1979, vol. 65, p. 568
  33. "History of the Citizens Advice service". Citizens Advice. Archived from the original on 18 November 2015. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  34. "Miracles Take Longer". 25 July 1983 via www.imdb.com.
  35. "Finance - Civil Society". civilsociety.co.uk.
  36. This literally translates as "Advice on everything"
  37. 1 2 3 4 "History of the Citizens Advice service". Citizens Advice. Archived from the original on 18 November 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  38. 1 2 "Introduction to the Citizens Advice service". Citizens Advice. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
  39. "Pro bono | The Open University Law School". Open.ac.uk. 27 May 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  40. "Clare Moriarty appointed Citizens Advice Chief Executive". Citizens Advice. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
  41. Randeep Ramesh (11 August 2010). "New Citizens Advice chief executive promises fresh direction | Society". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  42. 1 2 3 02 March 2015, Be the First to Comment (2 March 2015). "Gillian Guy of Citizens Advice on moving with the times". Third Sector. Retrieved 25 November 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  43. "service equality strategy". Citizens Advice. Archived from the original on 18 November 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  44. "£24 million grant to support witnesses at court - Press releases". GOV.UK. 15 November 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  45. "How to make the most of your Pension Wise appointment". Citizens Advice. 2 April 2015. Archived from the original on 18 November 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  46. 30 April 2015 by Andy Ricketts, 1 comment (30 April 2015). "Citizens Advice begins £1m rebrand and drops 'bureau' from names of local branches". Third Sector. Retrieved 31 October 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  47. "Citizens Advice £1m re-brand slammed as 'facile' by Advice UK". Lag.org.uk. Archived from the original on 18 November 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
  48. 1 2 "Keeping up with the times". Charitytimes.com. 23 May 2014. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
  49. "Annual Report 2019/20" (PDF). Citizens Advice.
  50. "Citizens Advice Oxfordshire :: CAB launches web chat service for clients to discuss problems online". Caox.org.uk. 22 October 2015. Archived from the original on 19 November 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  51. "Mike Dixon on Twitter: ".@CitizensAdvice advisers have now helped 80,000 people through email and webchat this year #CABLive"". Twitter.com. 18 January 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
  52. "BBC One - Battling with Benefits". www.bbc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 11 February 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  53. 1 2 3 4 "HECA Home". Hillingdoncab.org.uk. 26 October 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  54. Margaret E Brasnett. "Story of the Citizens' Advice Bureaux: Partnership". Cab94.tripod.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
  55. "Made in Liverpool: The Story of Liverpool's Citizens Advice Bureaux" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  56. Citizens' Advice Bureaux: For the Community, by the Community: Amazon.co.uk: Judith Citron: 9780745302812: Books. ASIN   0745302815.
  57. 1 2 3 Jill Insley (3 September 2011). "Citizens Advice cuts threaten the most vulnerable | Money". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  58. Armstrong, Jeremy (11 March 2013). "Citizens Advice Bureau funding squeeze threatens offices - Mirror Online". Mirror.co.uk. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  59. "It will hurt like hell if Newcastle's Citizens Advice bureau shuts down | Public Leaders Network". The Guardian. 5 February 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
  60. "Citizens Advice Bureau's funding drops as demand rises | Anglia - ITV News". Itv.com. 2 May 2012. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
  61. "Newcastle's Citizens Advice Bureau given a respite as council announces £30m of revised budget cuts". Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  62. "Cuts leave Derby the 'only city in the country without Citizens Advice Bureau'". 10 February 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2016.[ permanent dead link ]
  63. "£9.5 million of new funding for Citizens Advice Service to champion consumer work - Press releases". GOV.UK. 22 March 2013. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
  64. "earnout payment announced today". Moneysavingexpert.com. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  65. "Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis gifts £1 million to". Citizens Advice. Archived from the original on 18 November 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  66. "Citizens Advice launches the (gulp) 'Martin Lewis Fund' - Martin Lewis' Blog..." moneysavingexpert.com. 10 June 2016.
  67. "wins Charity of the Year 2015". Citizens Advice. Archived from the original on 25 November 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
  68. 1 2 "Citizens Advice - Introduction to the service" (PDF). citizensadvice.org.uk.
  69. "Our advice for you". Citizens Advice. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  70. Alison Moore (8 February 2016). "Supporting social issues". Management in Practice. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
  71. Andrew Griffin (4 December 2014). "Citizens Advice Bureau offers live insight into British life | Home News | News". The Independent. Archived from the original on 26 September 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  72. "Citizens Advice Dashboard". Display-screen.citizensadvice.org.uk. Archived from the original on 26 November 2015. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  73. "Contact the consumer helpline". Citizens Advice. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  74. "Advice partnerships". Citizens Advice. Archived from the original on 20 October 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  75. "Money advice services". Citizens Advice. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  76. "Money Advice Service in Wales". Citizens Advice. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  77. "Cancer support service". Citizens Advice. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  78. 1 2 "National homelessness advice service". Citizens Advice. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  79. "to deliver Pension Wise from more than 500 locations". Citizens Advice. 9 March 2015. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  80. Citizens Advice Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16: Trustees’ Report, p. 15
  81. "Our prevention work". Citizens Advice. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  82. "consumer education". Citizens Advice. Archived from the original on 25 July 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  83. "About Financial Skills for Life". Citizens Advice. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  84. "education resources". Citizens Advice. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  85. "Consumer education resources". Citizens Advice. 1 October 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  86. "Financial capability resources". Citizens Advice. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  87. "Partnership Intel on Twitter: "we're off to @TheFCA to show them emerging findings from our research on CPAs #CABLive"". Twitter.com. 19 October 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  88. "Our policy research work". Citizens Advice. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  89. "Joining the dots: Integrating practical support in mental healthcare settings in England". Archived from the original on 9 March 2018. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  90. "Empowering victims of domestic abuse". Citizens Advice. Archived from the original on 27 August 2015. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  91. "Private renters". Citizens Advice. Archived from the original on 7 September 2015. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  92. "Welfare policy research". citizensadvice.org.uk. Archived from the original on 9 March 2018. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  93. "Work policy research". citizensadvice.org.uk. Archived from the original on 9 March 2018. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  94. "Pensions policy research". citizensadvice.org.uk. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  95. "Energy policy research". citizensadvice.org.uk.
  96. "Post policy research". citizensadvice.org.uk. Archived from the original on 16 September 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  97. "and working with Parliament". Citizens Advice. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  98. "Advice trends". Citizens Advice. Archived from the original on 19 October 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  99. "Consumer advice trends 2014/15". Citizens Advice. Retrieved 5 November 2015.[ permanent dead link ]
  100. "Consumer Advice Trends 2015/16". Citizens Advice. Retrieved 5 November 2015.[ permanent dead link ]
  101. "Advice trends in Wales 2014-15 - Client statistics of the Citizens Advice service in Wales". Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  102. "Consumer supplier performance". citizensadvice.org.uk. Archived from the original on 25 July 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  103. "Settled and safe: a renter's right campaign". Citizens Advice. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  104. "Talk about abuse campaign". Citizens Advice. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  105. "Secure self-employment". Citizens Advice. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  106. "Know your New Rights". Citizens Advice. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  107. "Big Energy Saving Week 2018". citizensadvice.org.uk.
  108. "Mad about the ad campaign". Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  109. 1 2 "Mental health staff increasingly dealing with 'vicious cycle' of patients' wider problems during clinical time". Archived from the original on 9 March 2018. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  110. "Fixing Universal Credit". Archived from the original on 9 March 2018. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  111. "Impact of our advice, support and education". citizensadvice.org.uk. Archived from the original on 26 November 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  112. "Understanding what works". citizensadvice.org.uk. Archived from the original on 26 November 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  113. 1 2 3 "All our impact". citizensadvice.org.uk. Archived from the original on 25 November 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  114. "Impact of our social value". Archived from the original on 25 November 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  115. Citizens Advice (2015) The value of the Citizens Advice service: Our Impact in 2014/15, self-published report, p. 28
  116. "Citizens Advice campaign successes". citizensadvice.org.uk.
  117. "#CABLive". Archived from the original on 25 November 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  118. "People with poor mental health twice as likely to be behind on bills". Archived from the original on 9 March 2018. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  119. "All our impact". Archived from the original on 25 November 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  120. England, NHS. "NHS England » Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Health and Wellbeing Alliance". www.england.nhs.uk. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  121. Citizens Advice Annual Report 2014/2015, p. 33
  122. Gillespie, A. and Weare, S. (2015) The English Legal System, 5th edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press, p. 343
  123. 1 2 "Citizens Advice service annual conference". Archived from the original on 21 November 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  124. "The future of digital services at Citizens Advice (including Petra)". Archived from the original on 26 November 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  125. "Call centre answers CAB worries". BBC News . 16 June 2005.
  126. The financial benefits of advice provision – the example of the Citizens Advice Service in Scotland (PDF) (Report). University of Strathclyde. November 2012.
  127. Ainsworth, David (19 March 2012). "Reprieve for five Glasgow citizen advice bureaux". Third Force News. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  128. "Search OSCR: Charity Details: Citizens Advice Scotland, SC016637". Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  129. "Shona Craven: Citizens Advice Scotland's 'success' is proof of system's failings". The National.
  130. "Citizens Advice helps put £120m into pockets of Scots - AOL". money.aol.co.uk. Archived from the original on 1 November 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  131. 1 2 "Home - CommunityNI". www.communityni.org. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
  132. "Citizens Advice Cymru annual review". citizensadvice.org.uk. Archived from the original on 8 August 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  133. "Citizens Advice Cymru - Annual review 2013/14" (PDF). citizensadvice.org.uk.
  134. "Citizens Advice Bureau - Branches". Cabwa.com.au. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  135. "Our history". www.cab.org.nz. Archived from the original on 21 August 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  136. "CAB Spain". citizensadvice.org.es.
  137. "Strony nie znaleziono - Związek Biuro Porad Obywatelskich". Związek Biuro Porad Obywatelskich. Archived from the original on 28 September 2015. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  138. Citizens Advice Annual report and accounts 2011/12 (PDF) (Report). 2012.

Further reading

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Age Concern</span>

Age Concern is the banner title used by several charitable organizations (NGOs) specifically concerned with the needs and interests of all older people based chiefly in the four countries of the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Financial Services Authority</span> 2001–2013 UK quasi-judicial body

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) was a quasi-judicial body accountable for the regulation of the financial services industry in the United Kingdom between 2001 and 2013. It was founded as the Securities and Investments Board (SIB) in 1985. Its board was appointed by the Treasury, although it operated independently of government. It was structured as a company limited by guarantee and was funded entirely by fees charged to the financial services industry.

<i>Which?</i> Brand name of Consumers Association, a UK organisation promoting informed consumer choice

Which? is a United Kingdom brand name that promotes informed consumer choice in the purchase of goods and services by testing products, highlighting inferior products or services, raising awareness of consumer rights, and offering independent advice. The brand name is used by the Consumers' Association, a registered charity and company limited by guarantee that owns several businesses, including Which? Financial Services Limited, Which? Legal Limited and Which? Limited, which publishes the Which? Papers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cancer Research UK</span> Cancer research and awareness charity

Cancer Research UK (CRUK) is the world's largest independent cancer research organisation. It is registered as a charity in the United Kingdom and Isle of Man, and was formed on 4 February 2002 by the merger of The Cancer Research Campaign and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund. Cancer Research UK conducts research using both its own staff and grant-funded researchers. It also provides information about cancer and runs campaigns aimed at raising awareness and influencing public policy.

Consumer organizations are advocacy groups that seek to protect people from corporate abuse like unsafe products, predatory lending, false advertising, astroturfing and pollution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chartered Trading Standards Institute</span>

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) is a professional association which represents and trains trading standards professionals working in local authorities, business and consumer sectors and in central government in the UK and overseas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Federation of Master Builders</span> British trade group

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) is a UK trade association established in 1941 with the aim of protecting the interests of small and medium-sized building firms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">StepChange</span>

StepChange Debt Charity, formerly the Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS), is the trading name of the Foundation for Credit Counselling, and is a debt counselling charity in the United Kingdom. The organisation offers free debt advice and money management and can be contacted through its freephone telephone helpline or online through its online debt advice tool. In 2022, over 500,000 people contacted the charity for help. The charity also campaigns to change policies and practices that trap people in problem debt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christians Against Poverty</span> UK charitable organisation

Christians Against Poverty (CAP) is a Christian charitable company in the United Kingdom founded in Bradford, West Yorkshire by John Kirkby in 1996. It is a national organisation specialising in debt counselling for people in financial difficulty, including those in need of bankruptcy or insolvency. It also provides Job Clubs for those seeking employment, Life Skills groups helping people with practical skills to survive on a low income and Fresh Start Courses for people looking to overcome addictions and dependencies.

Consumer Direct was a Government-funded call centre providing basic consumer advice in the United Kingdom. Information was also provided on their website. Following a review by government in 2010, Consumer Direct ceased to operate in March 2012 with its role being handed to the Citizens Advice consumer service. The new service operates using the same telephone number and provides the same level of advice as Consumer Direct did.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CAB International</span> UN treaty organization for development

CABI is a nonprofit intergovernmental development and information organisation focusing primarily on agricultural and environmental issues in the developing world, and the creation, curation, and dissemination of scientific knowledge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Global Plant Clinic</span> International agricultural organization

The Global Plant Clinic (GPC) is managed by CABI in alliance with Rothamsted Research and FERA Science. The GPC provides plant health services and supports over 80 plant health clinics in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The clinic has a diagnostic service, which covers all plants and types of problems, is used by over 80 countries and helps maintain disease vigilance. The clinic also trains plant pathologists, and work with all sectors to improve regular and reliable access to technical support and advice. The clinics main aim is to create durable plant health services for those who need them most by improving access to technical support and advice.

The New National Consumer Council, operating as Consumer Futures, was a non-departmental public body and statutory consumer organisation in England, Wales, Scotland, and, for postal services, Northern Ireland. It was established by the Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007, and began operations in 2008 by the merging of Postwatch, Energywatch and the Welsh, Scottish and National Consumer Councils under the Consumer Focus brand.

Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS), formally the Scottish Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux (SACAB), is a registered charity. Based in Edinburgh it comprises 61 member bureaux, including a national helpline. Together these free local and national services provide legal advice, practical help and information on consumer and political rights across Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Citizens Advice Edinburgh</span> Scottish charity

Citizens Advice Edinburgh (CAE), is a registered charity, based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Founded in 1939, Citizens Advice Edinburgh is a member of the Scottish Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux, and provides free, confidential, independent and impartial advice to Edinburgh residents.

The Witness Service is a service in England and Wales for witnesses who have to give evidence in criminal courts. The Witness Service offers practical and emotional support and is a free service. The service is funded by the UK government's Ministry of Justice, which also publishes general advice about testifying in court

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Citizens Advice outside the United Kingdom</span>

Organisations based on the British Citizens Advice charity exist in a number of jurisdictions outside the United Kingdom. Although none of these organisations is controlled by the British charity, they adopt the branding and identity of Citizens Advice to varying degrees.

Family Action is a charity in England founded in 1869. It provides support for families, including financial and mental health issues relating to them.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Selby and District DIAL</span>

Selby and District DIAL was an independent, regional charity which offered help and advice to people with disabilities, caregivers, family and concerned professionals. Based in the town of Selby, its remit covered the Selby District of North Yorkshire in England, with a population of 83,449 at the 2011 Census.

Dorothy Clarissa Keeling was a British social worker who joined The Bradford Guild of Help and went on to Liverpool where she transformed voluntary efforts there and in the UK.