Supporting our communities through good times and bad
Press release – 7th May 2020
Citizens Advice first opened its doors in September 1939 in response to the crisis of the Second World War, and our volunteers have been supporting the people of Leicestershire to solve their problems for the past 40 years. In March 2020 Citizens Advice LeicesterShire responded to the crisis of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the resulting lockdown, by moving more than 100 staff and volunteers out of offices in Leicester City and across the County, and equipping them to deliver advice remotely from their own homes.
Our world in 2020 is very different to that which witnessed the declaration of victory in Europe 75 years ago. Some aspects of life – such as technology and the financial economy – would be unrecognisable to those citizens using our services towards the end of WW2. Citizens Advice is now a registered charity rather than a government service – we rely on local pots of funding and individual charitable donations to keep delivering to our communities.
Despite huge changes in all aspects of life, the problems that people come to Citizens Advice with are largely the same as they were in 1945. Lack of food and fuel, housing and employment issues are some of the biggest advice areas we deal with today, just the same as they were 75 years ago.
The technology may be different, and clients may not be able to visit us in person, but our trained advisers continue to provide trusted and verified advice to City and County residents, on a huge range of issues, over the phone and online. If we can’t help you directly, we work closely with many other organisations who can.
Richard Evans, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice LeicesterShire says:
‘Many of the problems we advise on are the same as they were 75 years ago, but the advice we give is constantly updated and verified. We help people get the money and employment rights they are entitled to, make the most of the money they have and negotiate the modern world.
‘The Covid-19 pandemic has complicated systems that are already suffering from information overload and fake news. Citizens Advice LeicesterShire can help you through the confusion and help you take on whatever the next part of 2020 has to throw at us.
‘Ring us on 0300 3301025 or 0300 3302111, or fill out a form on our website (https://citizensadviceleicestershire.org/get-advice/) if you need advice. The earlier you get in touch – the better we will be able to help you.’
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For more information please visit our website https://citizensadviceleicestershire.org/ or contact Su Strange (Communications Officer) at .
More information about the history of Citizens Advice can be found at https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/how-citizens-advice-works/who-we-are-and-what-we-do/history-of-the-citizens-advice-service/