Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell celebrates 85 years in the community by your side
Press release 5 September 2024
As Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell published its Annual Report 2023/24 on 4 September 2024, the community service at the heart of Epsom & Ewell celebrated 85 years supporting local people.
Lisa Davis, CEO of Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell, said:
“Citizens Advice was set up on the 4th of September 1939, just after the start of WW2. This was no coincidence, but a response to wartime demands never seen before in our history. Mass evacuations, bombing raids, missing loved ones and food-rationing all faced the citizens of Epsom & Ewell.
“In times like these, people need reassurance, support, and action. At first, Citizens Advice’s role was to act as a switchboard, referring people to the government department the particular difficulty applied to.
“However, very soon Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell rose to the challenge and took up the mantle as a one-stop shop for citizens’ every concern. This legacy lives on – there is no issue, no person, no situation turned away by the Citizens Advice. For 85 years, we’ve been by the side of communities in landmark historical moments providing advice for those in need.
“Whilst our core role may have changed since the days of WW2, we remain a beacon of hope for the local community. No matter the adversity, we approach it with empathy, professionalism, and selflessness. The parallels in the selflessness of our staff and volunteers in the 1940s and today are clear.
“After the war, we were crucial in rehousing refugees, evacuees, and returning Epsom & Ewell back to a new post-war society. After the recent lockdown, we stepped out of our homes into a post-pandemic society and a changed world. Citizens Advice has been the first port of call for many of those who have struggled mentally over the pandemic, had been put out of work, found themselves in debt or just did not know where to turn. Times may change, but Citizens Advice’s consistent support does not.”
Media enquiries
Contact Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell publicity@caee.org.uk or 01372 300778.
We are Citizens Advice, the people’s champion. We give people the knowledge and confidence they need to find their way forward, whoever they are, whatever their problem.
For information and advice, contact Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell on Freephone 0808 278 7963 or visit https://www.caee.org.uk
Notes to editors
- Please find our Annual Report 2023/24 on our website.
- Citizens Advice is made up of the national charity Citizens Advice; the network of independent local Citizens Advice charities across England and Wales; the Citizens Advice consumer service; and the Witness Service.
- Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell (CAEE) is a small, local charity offering free advice and information for all who live, work and study in the borough of Epsom & Ewell. All advice is free, confidential, impartial and independent.
- Each year CAEE helps around 2,600 clients with issues such as benefits, housing, debt, fuel poverty, family issues and much more. Our outcomes are extremely positive not only for the clients we serve, but also for the wider community. During 2023/24 we secured income of nearly £900,000 for our clients. Our added value to society totalled £1.2m in fiscal benefits by reducing health service demand and maintaining employment and housing. The wider economic and social benefit of our work during 2023/24 totalled almost £8.1m.
- As a small charity we are responsible for raising our funds. It costs over £100 for each client that we help. To make a donation please visit www.caee.org.uk/donate/ – £10 per month could enable us to help another client this year.
- To get advice please use our Freephone Adviceline 0808 278 7963 or visit our website where you can get advice by email and find details of our drop in service.