Advice charity Volunteer wins ‘outstanding’ Emersons Green award after delivering vital advice to community
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- Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire’s Volunteer Adviser Janet McBride has won an Emersons Green award for her work in the community
- Janet has covered the charity’s Emersons Green drop-in since it launched in 2023
- Emersons Green Town Council has now presented Janet with an award for Outstanding Contribution to the Community
A Volunteer Adviser at an advice charity has received an Emersons Green award for her outstanding community work.
Janet McBride has volunteered with Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire for 14 years. She has covered the charity’s free advice drop-in in Emersons Green since it launched in 2023.
The session – like the charity’s other drop-ins around South Gloucestershire – allows members of the public to come without an appointment for free, independent, confidential advice.
The drop-in runs from Emersons Green Village Hall on Thursdays from 10am to 12 noon. It is funded by Emersons Green Town Council, which also funds the charity’s Lyde Green Community Centre session on Mondays from 10am to 12 noon.
Since launching, the Emersons Green session has helped more than 400 people with issues such as (but not limited to) benefits, debt, housing, cost-of-living and relationship breakdown.
The vast majority of those who have attended the session will have been helped directly by Janet.
Emersons Green award presented at Annual Town Meeting
The town council presented Janet with an award for Outstanding Contribution to the Community at its newly-launched Community Awards.
The winners of the awards were announced at the town council’s Annual Town Meeting on 29th April.
In the charity’s nomination for Janet, colleagues said she brings her extensive experience and knowledge to the session.
Janet also provides a warm welcome, always has a positive attitude and consistently helps everyone who attends.
Visitors can expect quality advice that really matters – as her input often leads to outcomes that improve the lives of clients, whoever they are and whatever their problem.
Visitors to the Emersons Green drop-in have attained £76,272 in financial outcomes – such as income gained through benefits and debts written off.
This equals £186 back in the pocket of each person helped.
‘Very rewarding activity’
Janet, a former teacher and research chemist who lives near Thornbury, said: “I love volunteering at Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire. We have a great working environment, and we all support each other in this very rewarding activity.
“There is a tremendous benefit to an adviser in knowing how much we have helped our clients, it is immensely satisfying. None of this is done without a background of other staff and volunteers who support the front-line advisers with training, publicity, office management, particular expertise in special fields, etc. It really is a wonderful joint effort.
“I have had similar superb support from the staff at Emersons Green Village Hall. They are always ready with a cheery smile and to help in any practical way they can. Emersons Green Town Council supports the sessions financially, so many thanks to them too. It is fantastic that we can work together like this for the benefit of the community.”
Advice can significantly improve lives
Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire CEO Chantal Watts said: “We are immensely proud of Janet for winning this award. And we are grateful for her dedication with our charity.
“As a Generalist Adviser, Janet helps with practically anything – providing vital advice which can significantly improve the lives of the people who come to seek our help.
“The drop-in at Emersons Green Village Hall is one of our newer sessions. It forms part of our efforts to expand our services to local communities in recent years.
“Janet has given 14 years of her time to our charity. We would like to say thank you to her and also to Emersons Green Town Council for recognising her contribution.”
The Emersons Green drop-in runs from 10am to 12 noon on Thursdays at Emersons Green Village Hall, Emerson Way BS16 7AP.
The Lyde Green sessions runs from 10am to 12 noon on Mondays at Lyde Green Community Centre, Thistle Close, BS16 7GW.
For information about the charity’s other drop-in locations and times, please go to: https://www.southgloscab.org.uk/get-advice/visit-us/
Published 27/05/26.
