Citizens Advice Waverley is an independent local charity.

We depend on local funding from local authorities, local charitable trusts, local businesses and private donations. Our highly trained volunteer force, who give their free time to help local people, enable us to keep our overheads to an absolute minimum.

• Donations help us to continue providing free independent advice and to develop our services in line with local needs.
• Donating online is a safe and easy way to help us to keep our vital work going.

We are keen to work closely with other organisations wherever this helps us to offer a better service to our clients and to maximise the positive impact we make on people lives.

• Waverley Borough Council to ensure that appropriate information and advice is available to local people on a range of issues including debt, benefits entitlements and housing
• Local Children’s Centres to provide advice and support to young families and single parents
• Local schools and colleges to provide young people with the skills and confidence to manage the new challenges they face as they take on greater financial responsibilities.

Citizens Advice has provided free, confidential and independent advice for the past 70 years. Adapting to the ever changing needs of society has made Citizens Advice the most recognised and trusted provider of information and advice in the country.

As an established part of many local communities we are in almost every town and city in the country. Our service is very well known, with 95% of the public aware of it (MORI 2005).

We have been helping local people in Waverley since 1939, when Citizens Advice opened one of its very first bureaux in Haslemere. Citizens Advice Waverley was established in 2006 by the merger of the Haslemere bureau with other, newer bureaux in Cranleigh, Farnham and Godalming.

Over 5,300 clients seen (18% of total adult population)
Nearly 18,000 issues handled
Over £1.3 million of debt managed
Over £2.5 million in charitable and other financial gains achieved for clients
Over £500,000 of debt written-off
Over 120 families saved from homelessness

Every year our 150+ highly-skilled volunteers and their work is estimated to be worth well over £750,000.

We have a positive financial impact locally of over £10 million by:

• helping clients secure financial entitlements
• saving families from homelessness
• rescheduling debt

We have over 150 volunteers working with us in a wide range of roles, including advisers, receptionists, administrators, fundraisers and campaigners.

As well as the direct benefits to our clients volunteering helps people to build relationships, networks and bonds of trust. It is widely recognised as having a positive impact on local communities, and is often described as “the glue that holds communities together.” It also raised individual’s aspirations, encourages community participation and is part of the Government’s “Big Society” vision for strong, active and empowered communities.

1. Fighting the Threat of Homelessness – read more

2. Caring for her disabled son – read more