Eighty years ago today, on September 4th 1939 – the day after World War 2 was declared – the first Citizens Advice Bureaux were set up. Among them were our centres in Haywards Heath, Horsham and Worthing. Since then Citizens Advice has become a trusted household name, having a huge impact on communities and individuals. Last year nationally we helped more 2.7 million people on the phone, in person, by web chat and by email, and in our area of West Sussex we helped a huge 34,000 people*.
We change lives every day – helping people to access benefits they didn’t know they were eligible for, getting unfair decisions overturned, supporting people through debt, stopping families from becoming homeless, helping people to save money and budget better, stopping vulnerable people from becoming victims of scammers, and so much more.
We campaign against issues and policies that are unfair to local people in West Sussex, and we contribute to national campaigns too. We make a difference to the bigger issues as well as to our local community: take a look at our Research and Campaigns page for more information.
We adapt to the changing needs of local people, we embrace new technologies and create new channels by which people can access our help. We provide information and support for people with changes to the benefits system, for example via our Universal Credit: Help to Claim service.
Our amazing volunteers and staff go above and beyond to help improve people’s lives. Enormous thanks go out to all of you that help people day in, day out, with difficult and complex matters. As a team, we have great strength in our knowledge, expertise and commitment, and we could not help so many people without you!
To all our funders, stakeholders, partners and supporters – thank you for your continued investment and the value you place on our service, to deliver great results. Our trusted brand and reputation give confidence to local people, who continue to use us for trusted and high quality advice services and support.
It has been a privilege to be here for the last 80 years. We will continue to help people find a way forward, and make things better.
*April 2018-March 2019
