Policy reforms: a year of highlighting improvements to clients’ lives
A momentous year spent highlighting necessary improvements to clients' lives.
News & Blog Posts
Helen Maguire MP on working with Citizens Advice to help our communities thrive
Along with CA Mole Valley colleagues, we were pleased to meet Helen Maguire MP, our new representative at Westminster. It was a great opportunity to talk about how we can work together for the benefit of local people.
Lisa Davis is CEO at Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell (2 minutes)
Poor communication: how public services fall short with older citizens
Poor communication in public services leaves many older clients facing confusion and financial distress.
Household support funds for people on low incomes from Citizens Advice Epsom and Ewell. Press Release.
Those eligible for support will be on benefits, live in a low-income household or need crisis support.
Barriers to benefits: the need for accessible application processes
Barriers to benefits. At Citizens Advice Epsom and Ewell, we see vulnerable clients every day facing significant obstacles when applying for the support they really need.
It’s Trustees’ Week, but what do trustees actually do?
Most people get what CAEE volunteer advisers do but what about our volunteer trustees?
Homelessness in Epsom and Ewell: why housing policy needs urgent reform
E&E has one of the highest proportions of homeless families in England. Housing policy needs urgent reform.
Two cheers for mixed bag budget (with big commitment to public services)
The Budget. Two cheers for people under pressure: household support, more help with debt repayment.
The Budget. Issues could derail plans but experts downbeat about new help.
'Experts downbeat' wasn't what we were hoping for the least well-off.
Supporting vulnerable residents – Household Support Fund in Epsom and Ewell
Colleagues Anna and Victoria update stakeholders on value of the local Household Support Fund.
Project Wenceslas: Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell continues to work with Epsom and Ewell Rotaries for those in need this winter. Press Release.
Changes to Winter Fuel Payments mean many people are worrying about heating their homes.
This winter will you help local families with rising energy costs? Project Wenceslas.
Like good King Wenceslas will you help fuel-poor families this winter?
Autumn fruitfulness for policy research but will clients be smiling?
Autumn: fruitfulness for policy research. Not so mellow for clients. A campaigns update.
The true spirit of the community and why we campaign for change.
At CAEE we try to represent the spirit of the community in our advice *and* our campaigns for necessary change.
Pension Credit – the way to get extra help
The rules for Winter Fuel Payments have changed. You may need to claim Pension Credit to qualify.
Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell celebrates 85 years in the community by your side
The community service at the heart of Epsom & Ewell celebrates 85 years supporting local people. Press release.
New chapters: the best advice for young people
A campaign promoting trusted online help for young people facing new rights and responsibilities.
Private renters at sharp end of the living standards crisis
Private renters’ costs are going ‘Through the Roof’. And it's not just the rent.
Young people and renting in 2024. CAEE Blog
It’s no secret that there’s a continuing housing crisis in the UK. And anyone who hasn’t noticed a shortage of decent accommodation affecting young people hasn’t been paying attention.
Ollie Smith is a communications and research volunteer at Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell. (4 minutes)
Leaning local – research & campaigns keeps focus on local needs
A new local focus on issues affecting clients and citizens now.
Persistent cash use suggests many still missing out on digital innovation
Persistent cash use in our digital world sends a message: many are still missing out on digital innovation.
Immediate help for poorest…economics…and a reminder.
Data Insights July. Our public affairs colleagues produced strong evidence for providing immediate help.
National Citizens Advice data on living standards: Labour’s First Hundred Days
Citizens Advice data on living standards has become central to the public debate in recent months.
Household Support Fund – what you need to know. CAEE Blog.
Since June our Household Support Fund has helped 90 local families. FAQs.
School uniforms – important and expensive. CAEE Blog.
School uniforms. In her new blog Anna Tickle writes about an important cost approaching with the new school year.
It’s nearly over but are families’ ‘heat or eat’ choices?
Families across the country 'living on empty’ has not been an election issue.
Election campaign silence is broken but not in the best way
Finally, there's more debate about issues impacting many people we help. Not, unfortunately, from politicians.
Guest Blog. Rob Geleit celebrates a successful charity partnership
Rob Geleit reflects on charity work he and his colleagues undertook during his year as Mayor. Guest Blog. Councillor Rob Geleit represents Court Ward on Epsom & Ewell Borough Council and was Mayor in 2023-24. (3-minute read)
Support fund for low income households available from Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell
The Household Support Fund is now available by application to Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell.
Just One Thing? Michael Mosley gave us so many
Opening Volunteers' Week we recommended friends listen to Michael Mosley. Then came the terrible news.
Blank Space makes living standards election more Eras Tour election 🎵
This election should be about Living Standards but Swifties may see Eras! 🎵
Living standards should be a top issue in the big vote on 4 July
Why living standards must be properly debated. And our first priorities for the new government.
Volunteers’ Week 2024. Help celebrate our amazing team!
Jane Sheils introduces Volunteers' Week, 3-9 June, and meets new and long-serving members of Team CAEE.
Volunteer Receptionist Bob: the opportunities and challenges
In Volunteers' Week we celebrate the dedicated people making our service possible: CAEE Receptionist Bob..
Volunteer Trainee Assessor Fiona: the opportunities and challenges
In Volunteers' Week we celebrate the dedicated people who make our service possible: CAEE Volunteer Trainee Assessor Fiona.
Volunteer Trustee Simon: the opportunities and challenges
In Volunteers' Week we celebrate the dedicated people who make our service possible: CAEE Volunteer Trustee Simon.
Volunteer Trainee Adviser: Ellie, the opportunities and challenges
Volunteers' Week celebrates the dedicated people making our service possible: CAEE Trainee Adviser Ellie
Household support facing up to hardship
The new Household Support Fund runs April to September. That will not be enough.
Permanent insecurity still trapping many in cost crisis
Income insecurity means the cost crisis is not over. Data Insights report.
Brand new film: ‘We are the people’s champion’
An inspiring 60-second film leads a new strategy across Citizens Advice.
Is it over? Is the cost crisis history?
Citizens Advice Data Insights 15 May 11am. Tales of two recoveries.
Managed migration to Universal Credit – mind the gaps!
Action now could solve problems in the last stage of universal credit roll-out.
Young adults: new responsibilities, new problems
Young adults: Anna asks how Citizens Advice can help with problems facing so many in the transition from education to work and life
Anna Tickle is a Research and Campaigns volunteer at Citizens Advice Epsom and Ewell. (3 minutes)
Comparing houses: ours are smaller, older, colder, less convenient
Comparing houses and related quality of life in rich countries, an independent think tank* finds us near the bottom of the class.
Family Building Society chooses Citizens Advice as community partner for 2024
The Society recognises our community support on issues such as housing, heating and benefits.
Common mental health issues in the young are rising. Citizens Advice can do more.
Common mental health disorders are rising fast among young people. Why is this? Tish asks if a dedicated Citizens Advice service could help solve the problem.
Tish Ahabwe Mukankusi is a Trainee Assessor at Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell. (3 minutes)
Civil society, data insights, exciting plan: Annual Conference online.
Civil society is the institutions, people and beliefs that aren’t public or private, government or business. A positive report by our research team in a second Conference 2024 blog.
By Research and Campaigns Team, Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell (4 minutes)
At Conference Vicki learned about advice innovations and met a shark!
At Conference for the first time, Vicki hoped to learn more about how Citizens Advice works. She wasn’t disappointed. A full day covered tech possibilities, colleague and client wellbeing and Citizens Advice values.
Vicki Phelan is a Financial and Wellbeing Support Service Caseworker at Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell (4 minutes)
Housing policy ‘must surely be centre-stage’ in election manifestos
Owners in the borough outnumber renters 3 to 1 but we help far more renters with housing and other issues.
We’re hoping to see you at Jobs Fair 2024, careers event of the year.
We're hoping to see you at Epsom & Ewell Jobs Fair, Nescot, Thursday 11 April.
Money anxiety can be a nightmare. Our partnership can help.
Our MFT colleague Christine was on the radio discussing the Financial Wellbeing Support Service.
Mental health, young people and Citizens Advice
Mental health conditions have been rising among the young. There are ways we can help.
Hard-pressed private tenants face continuing rent rises
The cost of private renting in Epsom & Ewell is forecast to go on rising.
Less risk, More Reward – helping UCA students with financial wellbeing
Less Risk, More Reward was this year’s theme for National Student Money Week. We attended an event at University for the Creative Arts Epsom to help students think about their financial wellbeing.
Vicki Phelan is a Financial and Wellbeing Support Service Caseworker. (3 mins)
CAEE Chair of Trustees Yvette sets out ambitious plans for 2024-25
With the persistently high cost-of-living, 2024-25 will be another important year for CAEE. Our Trustees have approved an ambitious business plan with new ideas for expanding the service, engaging the community and giving clients more access to good advice.
Yvette Ball is Chair of the Trustees Board at Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell. (2 minutes)
Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell celebrates 85 years in the community.
Planning to celebrate 85 years providing free and impartial advice to local people. Press Release.
Local service standards affect everyone’s quality of life
Local service standards really matter to all local people but some more than others.
Jeremy Hunt announces a temporary fix for emergency family support
The chancellor extended the Household Support Fund for a further 6 months as part of the Spring Budget.
Students and money: successful financial literacy project 2023-24
Our 2023-24 Financial Literacy collaboration with local schools reports good progress.
‘Alarm bells for politicians’ in latest Data Insights
"Alarm bells should be ringing with politicians". The stark message from our latest Data Insights briefing.