Citizens Advice Bassetlaw held their AGM on 27th November and celebrated 45 years of advice and support to the people of Bassetlaw. They are also very pleased to confirm that we have secured further funding from Macmillan. This means that they are able to continue to provide casework support on Welfare Benefits, for a further year, for those people in Bassetlaw affected by cancer, who don’t know where to turn when due to illness their income is adversely affected.
Likewise, the Money Advice casework team, as regulated by the FCA, has secured funding for a further year to support clients in Bassetlaw affected by money worries and are able to provide options for dealing with debt, such as a Debt Relief Order, bankruptcy, or money management plan, etc.
They are extremely grateful to all of their funders who have supported them over the years. Without their financial support, this local charity would not be able to maintain and develop its local service in Bassetlaw.
Karen Whitlam, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice Bassetlaw said: “I am hugely grateful to all of our fantastic dedicated workforce team consisting of paid staff and volunteers.”
Karen thanked the organisation’s volunteers who contributed 12,432 working hours to help local communities in 2017/18. The value they provide by giving their free time for those hours would equate to a staggering salary bill of £288,179. What a fantastic value to our community they bring.
Citizens Advice Bassetlaw currently has 57 volunteers who collectively contribute around 230 hours of work each week to help advise clients in Bassetlaw.
Karen added: “The constant rise in volunteering levels since the onset of the recession in 2007 proved that communities in the UK were resilient and generous. Trained volunteers in Citizens Advice Bassetlaw are an indispensable part of our service. I am struck by the professionalism and devotion of our volunteers.
Volunteering at our offices offers people of any background the opportunity through effective training to:
- Learn new skills whilst contributing to their community
- Meet new people
- Help and support people
- Increase their own self-confidence, self-worth and sense of purpose
- Reduce social isolation and loneliness
The people in our local office who give up their time to help us deliver the advice to our clients which, in the face of such a tough pressure on people’s personal finances, is now more vital than ever.”
If you are interested in volunteering at Citizens Advice Bassetlaw at Worksop, Retford or at other outreach locations, please email training@bassetlawcab.org.uk for more details.
For free, confidential, impartial and independent information and advice, contact Citizens Advice Bassetlaw either by:
Telephone — 03444 111 444 (available Monday to Friday, 10.00am to 4.00pm).
Debt Telephone Number — leave your name and number on the answerphone 07808 770288
Webchat — www.citizensadvice.org.uk (available Monday to Friday, 10.00am to 4.00pm)
Drop-in sessions:
- Monday — 9.30am to 3.00pm
- Wednesday — 9.30am to 3.00pm
- Friday — 9.30am to 1.00pm
Or at the Retford office at 17b The Square, Retford, it is available:
- Tuesday — 10.00am to 2.00pm
- Thursday — 10.00am to 2.00pm