MORE people are turning to Citizens Advice Winchester District for support.

Citizens Advice Winchester District reveals an increase in the number of people turning to their advice service during the year 2019 compared to 2018, with benefits, debt and employment being the most common advice areas.

In 2019 the Citizens Advice service in Winchester and Bishop’s Waltham helped 5,462 clients (375 more than the previous year), with 13,706 issues (over a thousand more issues than the previous year).

The rise in the number of clients was around 7.5 per cent.

The Citizens Advice service in Winchester District has existed for 67 years and is an independent charity, staffed largely by trained volunteers from the local area. The service provides free, confidential advice to anyone regardless of their situation or circumstances.

Lesley Rose, advice services manager for Citizens Advice Winchester District, said: “We’re here to support everyone in society that needs us and during times of economic uncertainty and massive changes to the benefits system it’s not surprising that more people are turning to us for help.

“The people we serve through our local network are often among the most disadvantaged in society with the greatest needs, and our volunteer advice team does a wonderful job of helping these individuals find a way forward.”

Citizens Advice celebrated 80 years of service in 2019 and although much has changed in that time in the way that the service is managed and delivers advice, the one thing that has remained constant is the demand for a free independent advice service within the local community.

Citizens Advice Winchester District offers a drop in service in Winchester and Bishop’s Waltham and also runs weekly outreach sessions in Alresford, Denmead and Wickham. Advice is also available by phone, webchat and email.

For more details of the Citizens Advice service in Winchester District, please visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk/winchester-district