Helping those struggling in the cost-of-living crisis inspires adviser to run Bristol 10K

Julien Bristow-Goldschmidt, Help To Claim adviser based at Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire – who is running the Bristol 10K
- Adviser Julien Bristow-Goldschmidt will run the Bristol 10K to raise funds for Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire
- Helping those in need has inspired him to take part to support the important work of the charity even further
- The charity has seen a tenfold increase in the number of people who can’t afford to eat compared to pre-Covid. Funds raised are essential
An adviser who helps scores of people struggling amid the cost-of-living crisis will run the Bristol 10K to raise vital funds for his charity.
Julien Bristow-Goldschmidt, 32, is set to take part in the Great Bristol Run on May 14 to raise money for Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire.
Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire is a local, independent charity under the umbrella of the national Citizens Advice. It offers free, confidential, impartial advice to anyone struggling.
Advisers at the charity are currently seeing much higher demand for help in some areas compared to pre-Covid. Energy bills and weekly food shopping costs are shooting up.
The charity has seen a tenfold increase in the number of people it is referring to foodbanks compared to 2019. This number is up from around six a month to 60 per month.
There is a greater need for foodbanks among some groups than others. The charity consistently refers single-parents, disabled people and social tenants more than other cohorts.
Meanwhile, the charity has helped more than five times as many local people with energy problems and energy debts since 2019. This is up from around 8 per month to 44 a month in Dec 2022. The charity expects this to increase further as we move through the winter months.
Julien’s motivation for the Bristol 10K
Julien works on the national Help To Claim service. He helps five to ten people each day apply for Universal Credit as well as other benefits they may be eligible for.
The difference Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire makes for clients – many of whom are desperate when they approach the charity – has inspired Julien to run the Bristol 10K to support the cause even further.
Julien came to Bristol in 2016 after growing up in Frankfurt an der Oder, Germany. He lives in Fishponds and runs regularly.
He initially trained to work with children and later worked for another advice charity. Julien started at Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire’s main office in Yate Shopping Centre in June last year.

The entrance to Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire’s office in Yate
Julien said: “I was born just before Germany reunited. East Germany was the poorest area in Germany and we were really poor growing up. My sister, my brother, my parents.”
He remembers hearing as a child “you can’t eat dinner any more because you need food for school the next day”. He added: “I know how it is when you have next to nothing.”
This insight informs his work today. He provides advice on eligibility for Universal Credit via the Help To Claim helpline and webchat service.
He said: “I feel it’s crazy to see how many people are in employment and still have to claim benefits because they are not being paid enough.”
“Really good fun”
Julien finds his work “rewarding” and said: “At the end of the call, people are very thankful. People tend to be relieved and a lot happier.”
He is one of a number of runners set to take part in the event on behalf of the charity on May 14.
Julien has taken part in two Half Marathons in his home city previously on behalf of other charities.
He said: “I have always enjoyed running. I am very slow but for longer distance I am very good. It clears your head after a week of work. Running in a big city is really good fun.”
Advisers at the charity offer support in a number of other areas including debt, energy, housing and much more.
The charity is dependent on money from donations and grants to keep serving the people of South Gloucestershire.
The charity’s work
Chantal Watts, Chief Executive Officer of Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire, said: “Despite a 34 per cent cut to our Core funding this year, we have seen an increase of over 35 per cent of clients coming to see us and needing advice.
“Many of these are for initial benefit claims from households that have never claimed benefits before and have no concept of how to navigate the welfare benefit system. Many households, some with more than one income, are starting to see the impact of the hike in prices of their utility bills, travel costs and shopping bills.
“We are trying to assist with the cost-of-living crisis by providing workshops to enable people to make reductions, however small, to their household bills. We are also providing additional appointments to enable benefits check to be done, to try and maximise the income for many struggling households.
“I want to thank everyone who is participating in the Great Bristol Run on our behalf, raising not only much needed funds but also awareness of our status as a charity and dependence on community support.”
- Anyone in South Gloucestershire seeking free, independent, impartial and confidential advice from Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire can call 0808 278 7947
- Or visit: www.southgloscab.org.uk
- Anyone wanting to use the Help To Claim service should call 0800 144 8 444 or visit: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/helptoclaim
- Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire is looking for more runners. Anyone wanting to run for free and commit to raising £150 sponsorship can email: Katie.Collier@southgloscab.org.uk
- Alternatively they can book their place and raise sponsorship here
- Anyone wanting to sponsor Julien and help the charity continue its essential work can visit the fundraising website here
Published 25/01/23.