Cost of living problems: why truly independent advice is so important. Lisa Davis.
Our clients often feel the world is against them. They need to know our core values are independence and impartiality, our sole aim to help them find a way forward.
Things you may not know about us – Number 1. (2 minutes)
Lisa Davis is Chief Executive at Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell.
Requests to Citizens Advice for help with the cost of living have risen rapidly in recent months. That’s not so surprising with what’s happening to bills and inflation. A lot of people have heard of us and know our service is confidential and completely free.
Not so many know that Citizens Advice is also completely independent. Before I started as Chief Executive in Epsom & Ewell I thought the CAB was somehow linked to the government and I’m sure I wasn’t alone. In fact, we are a network of small local charities whose core values are independence and impartiality.
This is an essential part of what we do and who we are.
Anyone who asks for help in person can be sure we have no interest beyond helping them find a way forward. Anyone reading advice online can be sure we have no aim other than to be accurate and reliable.
In times like these we think this really matters.
Our online help with the cost of living shows why. It has detailed information about government, councils, utilities, charities and others. It deals with benefits, grants, mental health and more.
People should be able to trust that when they ask in person for advice about these kinds of things it will be free of all external political, religious, moral or social interests. They can.
Part of ‘Who Knew?’ a blog series about less well-known aspects of Citizens Advice. Find out more.