Citizens Advice Wolverhampton opened on 25 September 1939. It was amongst the first bureaux in the country, and has remained open to the people of Wolverhampton ever since.
Within a few months of opening around 50 people a day were visiting and getting help with issues like evacuation, allowances for dependents of serving men, housing problems and questions concerning National Registration and food rationing. Today, 80 years on, it continues to offer free, confidential and independent advice.
Volunteers, staff, partners and friends came together with Mayor Councillor Claire Darke last week (Wednesday 4 September) in recognition of the longstanding contribution Citizens Advice has made to the people of Wolverhampton.
Craig Alford, Chief Officer of Citizens Advice Wolverhampton, said: “Our advice changes lives because we are constantly adapting to the challenges people face, from broadband bills to Universal Credit.
“Whatever the problem, our amazing staff and volunteers do all they can to help people find their way forward. We are here for everyone and we will continue to help make things better.”
Mayor Councillor Darke said: “We were delighted to be able to celebrate Citizens Advice Wolverhampton’s special milestone, which has seen it provide 80 years of unbroken service to local people.”
The City of Wolverhampton Council's Deputy Chief Executive Mark Taylor, who spoke at the celebration event, said: "Citizens Advice Wolverhampton provides a crucial service to our residents and we are proud to have a strong working relationship with the organisation.
"We have worked closely together on many projects over the years, and recently Citizens Advice Wolverhampton took over the role of delivering the city's Home Library Service, providing a range of materials directly to residents who are unable to visit their local library. We look forward to further partnership working with Citizens Advice Wolverhampton in the years ahead.”
Citizens Advice Wolverhampton is a charitable organisation offering free information, advice and specialist casework to people who live, work and study in Wolverhampton. It can help with a wide range of problems, including debt, housing, benefits, work, family issues, discrimination, consumer complaints and many more. For more information, please visit Citizens Advice or call 03444 111444.
