Citizens Advice Worthing welcomed Sir Peter Bottomley MP to their Advice Centre at Worthing Town Hall on Friday 11 March. Sir Peter spent time in the centre talking to staff and volunteers and finding out about how the team help people through the advice they give.
The Advice team which is made up fully of volunteers, give up their spare time to give advice to thousands of local people in Worthing every year.
Each year, Citizens Advice Worthing help more than 4,000 clients with over 8,000 problems on a range of topics including Welfare Benefits, Debt, Housing and Employment. Nationally, two in every three people who seek advice from Citizens Advice say that their problem was either partly or completely resolved, and four in five say that they experienced extra benefits from getting help, such as improved mental health.
The top five most common issues which local residents have sought help for are:
- Employment Support Allowance
- Housing Benefit
- Personal Independence Payments
- Attendance Allowance
- Child and Working Tax Credits
Sir Peter met with Julie Martin, CEO and Lee Furlong, Client Services Manager together with volunteers and staff and heard about the top issues affecting constituents in Worthing including the work of the research and campaigns team who research on local policy issues
Peter Bottomley said; “If I had a serious problem to deal with I would refer to Citizens Advice. I am grateful for all Citizens Advice does and I honour what they do.”
