New and improved Citizens Advice service for City

March 24, 2022

Southend-on-Sea City Council has commissioned Citizens Advice Southend (CAS) to deliver a new enhanced Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) service to support local residents.

CAS will start their new enhanced service from Friday 1 April 2022, being the first point of contact for all residents in the City and providing vital and tailored information, advice, guidance, and support to local people, when they need it, in the way they need it.

The service will support and assist residents on several key matters ranging from debt and money management, benefit advice, maximisation of income and financial capability, housing and dealing with the threat of eviction, to employment and family issues.

The service will be operating in eight outreach areas, including the Civic Centre and the CAS building at Church Road, Southend-on-Sea, providing face-to-face support to those who require it, along with telephone assistance, webchats, emails, outreach and web support. This will ensure the service is accessible, accurate, useful and readily available to everyone.  

Cllr Ian Gilbert, Leader of the council, said: “We want to make sure our residents have the support they need, when they need it. This is even more important with energy bills rising and the general cost of living accelerating at a worrying rate.

“The service that will be delivered by Citizens Advice Southend will be invaluable to our residents, covering a range of support topics. It will be completely confidential and expert advice, with no judgements. They are there to help you when times get tough.

“I encourage those who feel they, or anyone they know, who could benefit from the service to get in touch with Citizens Advise and take advantage of this new and enhanced support.”

To find out more about the service, please contact:  Citizens Advice Southend, 1 Church Road, Southend on Sea Essex SS1 2AL. Telephone: 01702 456352/969696 or email enquiries@citizensadvicesouthend.org.uk