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Citizens Advice service to be delivered from numerous Community Help and Information Points
12/12/2024
The new approach will bring the front door to advice closer to people
Banbury’s Citizens Advice service is changing the way it operates with the aim of making it easier for people to access help and information sooner, and closer to them.
The service will vacate its current offices in Cornhill, instead utilising numerous Community Help and Information Points (CHIPs) in various community venues across the Cherwell district. These will be staffed by trained volunteers who will provide vital help and information.
Its hoped the new approach will bring the front door to advice to places that people already frequent or can easily access, helping them to “self help” before they get into greater difficulty. For those already in difficulty the CHIP volunteers will encourage them to engage with a specialist advisor, rather than waiting until they are in crisis before they ask for help.
Specialist advice will be provided using free telephone or video based assessment and appointments. In person appointments with specialist advisers will only be available for clients who cannot use digital services.
The specialist telephone advice service will increase its hours of operation to 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday with evening and Saturday opening hours soon to be implemented.
The new way of delivering advice aims to take a more preventative approach, reducing the longer term detriment to those needing support. Earlier intervention will also reduce the pressures on the Citizens Advice specialist advisers.
Pat Coomber-Wood, Chief Executive at Citizens Advice West Northants and Cherwell, said: “We will continue to give the people we serve the knowledge and confidence they need to find their way forward – whoever they are and whatever their problem.
“More importantly, as the cost of living crisis impacts more and more households, we will make it easier for people to prevent or avoid debt and other problems, rather than suffer the consequences of making the wrong choices due to lack of information, or leaving things to get to a crisis before they feel able to ask for help because they feel embarrassed to tell someone that they are in difficulty.”
David Maloney, Chair of Citizens Advice West Northants and Cherwell, said “Whilst ours and other services are becoming increasingly digital, we know that not everyone has access to a computer or knows how to use the internet.
“CHIP volunteers will be able to help people to access specialist advice by phone or online if needed.”
CHIP venues and opening hours, along with details of how to access online video and email support, is available on the service’s website. Their phone number is 0808 278 7906.
This year Citizens Advice West Northants and Cherwell has supported 111 Cherwell households who presented with homelessness issues and 467 struggling with debt due to the cost of living crisis. The service has seen a significant rise in the number of people preferring to access advice services via the telephone and using email.
Anyone interested in becoming a Citizen’s Advice volunteer should email recruitment@cawnac.org.uk.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam