Monthly talk: Vincent Willson – Citizens Advice Teignbridge

This month our guest speaker was Vincent Willson from Citizens Advice Teignbridge, a Charity known to most if not all of us.

Their two main objectives are to give free confidential and impartial advice and to improve policies and practices which affect people’s lives.

Funded mainly by local government and donations, Citizens Advice Teignbridge can be contacted via its website, through drop-in Centres located across the area, access to an advice line which is open 9am to 5pm Mondays to Fridays, via video link and by phone. It is part of the Devon consortium and has 24 paid part time staff, and 66 volunteers who range in age from 24 to 82 years.

Currently there are five thousand people living in the Newton Abbott constituency with a negative budget. Due to the cost of living crisis, approximately 30 people per week contact Citizens Advice Teignbridge for help. The main issues are around energy price increases, increase in food prices, a lack of affordable housing, and benefits rates including the levels of private sector rents which are not fully met by housing allowance.

Each year sees a steady increase of people asking for advice. Nationally, April 2022 – 2023 saw a total of 2,233,671 and this year April 2023 – 2024 2,652.843. Help with benefits was the highest percentage of clients asking for advice followed by Housing and Debt.

The main categories of advice sought are:
• Debt – bankruptcy
• Universal Credit Claimants – Needing help with claiming on line which is difficult if there is no access to the internet in the home
• Family matters, which can be referred to Childrens Services. This includes for families with children with disabilities
• Difficulties with issues around care – these can be referred on to Healthwatch Devon.
• Fuel Poverty
• Family Law for those who do not qualify for Legal Aid. This often includes domestic violence and custody disputes.

Volunteers and advisors are always needed along with donations.

Kate McCarthy