Citizens Advice seek more volunteers to meet demand

The bureau is looking for more volunteers

A citizens advice bureau is looking for more volunteers to help it deal with the rise in "more complex issues" people are facing.

Karen Evans, chief officer at South Lakes Citizens Advice in Cumbria, said people are coming to the charity with more complicated issues than in previous years.

"Clients no longer come in with just one simple question," she said.

"People could have money issues but that could be linked to a benefits issues which could be linked to housing issues," she said.

"We're finding that cases are a lot more complex now," she said.

Interviews with clients can often last longer than the 45 minutes they used to, she added.

Ms Evans said: "South Lakes and Kendall… it's a beautiful patch, it's quite idyllic and looking at it you would say there are no problems but we're seeing an increase in housing issues, issues about welfare benefits, energy prices."

She said the demographic of the region was older and were likely to be hit by the cut to winter fuel payments.

The team currently have 25 active volunteers.

They are trying to recruit at least 20 more regular volunteers.

“Roles can include admin, office assistance, fundraising, research and campaign work," Ms Evans said.

She said the ultimate aim with a larger group of volunteers was to get out into the community more.

"Then we've got more of a chance of picking those clients up, especially in more rural areas," she said.