After the Governament announced new stay-at-home measures in March, we quickly mobilised staff and volunteers to give one-to-one advice over the phone and via email across Wiltshire.
The top four issues the charity has helped with since the lockdown began on 23 March are employment, welfare benefits including Universal credit, debt and housing.
Across the South West region there has also been a surge in demand for help from the Citizens Advice website with 78,483 people visiting it during the busiest week.
Our local website has also seen an increase in people visiting the site with the number of visits doubling in its busiest week.
Suzanne Wigmore, Chief Executive Officer of Citizens Advice Wiltshire, said:
“I am so proud of our volunteers and staff who have quickly rallied round to ensure no-one needs to face the financial challenges of Covid-19 alone.
“Over the past month our team has helped as many people as possible with problems such as applying for benefits for the first time, navigating the government’s job support schemes, and worries over how to manage the bills.
“Citizens Advice was founded the day after World War Two was declared to support people at a time of national need. We are still here 80 years later to provide free, impartial, independent and confidential advice to anyone who needs it.
“So, if you’re in need of advice don’t hesitate to pick up the phone or drop us a message, our advisers are ready and waiting to help.”
How to contact Citizens Advice Wiltshire
- Adviceline, which you can reach by calling 0800 144 8848. This is open Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) from 9am to 5pm.
- Email, you can contact us for advice by email
Published: Tuesday 5 May 2020
Notes
- Between 23 March and 1 May 2020 Citizens Advice Wiltshire helped 2,152 people with advice on 4,145 issues.