For unpaid carers citizens advice can be an incredible source of help and advice
Who the are and what they do
They help people find a way forward
People can all face problems that seem complicated or intimidating. At Citizens Advice they believe no one should have to face these problems without good quality, independent advice.
That’s why they’re there: to give people the knowledge and the confidence they need to find their way forward – whoever they are, and whatever their problem.
They give advice to millions of people
Their network of independent charities, offer confidential advice online, over the phone, and in person for free: (https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/web-chat-service/
And when they say they’re for everyone, they mean it. People rely upon them because they’re independent and totally impartial.
They help millions of people every year and in, 2020-21, this included:
*40 million visits to their website
*58,000 people helped face-to-face (despite most of their services being delivered remotely due to Covid)
*1.48 million people using their phone service
*549,00 people contacting their consumer helpline
*624,000 people getting help by email or webchat
*52,000 witnesses supported through the Witness Service
In total they helped 2.4 million people find a way forward with one-to-one advice. Their advice website had over 60 million views of their online self-help advice.
They provide support in approximately 2,500 locations across England and Wales with over 21,000 volunteers and 8,700 staff.
They speak up for their clients
No one else sees so many people with so many different kinds of problems, and that gives them the unique insight into the challenges people are facing today.
With the right evidence, they can show big organisations – from companies right up to government – how they can make things better for people.
They can see how problems can be linked. By helping people with the underlying cause of their problems and making sure they don’t get worse, they save the government and public services hundreds of millions of pounds every year.
They make a big difference
Last year they helped to solve the problems of 8 in 10 who they gave advice to directly.
9 in 10 said that their advice had helped them find a way forward and 9 in 10 would recommend them to a friend.
Their service saves society money. In 2020-21 the advice they delivered directly saved government and public services at least £618 million – that’s £1.94 for every £1 spent on the service.