Advice charity issues Christmas appeal to help people struggling in the region this winter

• Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire is calling on members of the public to donate just £20 to support its service
• All money donated will go towards the local, independent South Gloucestershire charity – and will help it support more people struggling this Christmas
• The charity recently had its busiest month for cost-of-living-related issues and high energy bills will contribute to making this winter harsh for many

A charity has issued a Christmas appeal to support its service as it helps people struggling in the cost-of-living crisis.

Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire is asking members of the public for a donation of just £20 – which will help the charity support another local person in desperate need.

October was the busiest month on record at the charity for cost-of-living issues including access to charitable support and food banks and help with Personal Independence Payments (PIP).

The same month saw the number of clients overall rise by almost 50 per cent compared to October 2022.

Energy costs are set to be more expensive this year than last due to the loss of the £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme discount.

This will contribute towards the winter being a challenge for many who are already struggling to manage their finances and other issues alongside increased household expenditure.

By contacting Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire, people can access support for a wide range of areas including benefits, debt, Universal Credit, emergency support, foodbank voucher referrals, housing, employment and relationship breakdown.

The charity’s dedicated Advisers make a real difference by offering free, independent and confidential advice to anyone who needs it in South Gloucestershire.

The right advice, at the right time, can be a lifeline.

Christmas appeal case studies – ‘you’ve lifted a huge weight’

Mary [not her real name] came to the charity after splitting up with her partner last year.

She had tried to make a Universal Credit claim as a single occupant but ended up losing her housing element.

Having made no progress through contacting Universal Credit directly, she came to Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire for help.

One of the charity’s local Advisers was able to contact Jobcentre Plus on her behalf and the problem got resolved within a couple of hours.

She received the backdated amount of £600 in her bank account the next day.

She said: “I spent last week very tearful, I now feel like a different person. You’ve lifted a huge weight.”

Clive [not his real name], who has a number of serious health conditions, could not get the help he needed until he came to Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire.

He was helped by the charity’s newest When Advice Really Matters (WARM) project after being refused his expected Personal Independent Payment.

The WARM Project Manager was able to clarify their situation which led to Clive being awarded over £500 per month and a back payment of £5,000.

He said: “Before, I felt it was like hanging off a cliff or being in a tumble dryer – it was really confusing. Vicky [the WARM project manager] has been absolutely brilliant.”

Just £20 will make a difference

The charity is asking for a regular donation this Christmas, or a one-off £20 donation.

• £20 would enable the charity to answer three telephone advice-line calls to help local people.
• £40 would provide a two hour face-to-face appointment with a specialist Debt Adviser to help someone in crisis manage their debts
• £100 would fund a volunteer adviser training placement for a month

More information about the charity’s appeal and how to donate can be found at: https://www.southgloscab.org.uk/get-involved/donatetoday/donate-now/helping-those-in-crisis-this-winter/

• Anyone in South Gloucestershire seeking free, independent, impartial and confidential advice from Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire can call 0808 278 7947.
• The charity’s opening times and contact details are available at: www.southgloscab.org.uk/get-advice/visit-us/
• Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire is also looking for 10K runners to take up a charity place in May 2024 at the Great Bristol Run – please get in touch with katie.collier@southgloscab.org.uk for more information.