Woking: Citizens Advice says it may need to crowdfund to continue

Campaigners demonstrated earlier this month ahead of a council meeting to discuss cuts to services

A local charity has said it may begin crowdfunding in order to continue operating due to council budget cuts.

From 1 April, Citizens Advice Woking (CAW) said there would be a "significant reduction" in services it can provide due to cuts by Woking Borough Council (WBC).

The authority declared itself effectively bankrupt in June 2023.

Deputy council leader Will Forster said a support package of £229,000 had been agreed.

Speaking to BBC Radio Surrey, Citizens Advice volunteer Ellie George warned the charity would not be able to support "vulnerable residents" as it had done in the past.

She said demand was "massive" at the Woking offices which currently operate Monday to Friday between 10:00-16:00 GMT.

"From before 10 the doorbell is going. After four the doorbell is going," she said.

The council said it could not continue to provide the level of support it has done in the past

Ms George said that without a five-day service, users would be affected - particularly those who were digitally excluded, had mental health issues or did not speak English.

She said CAW was a local charity which did not receive central government funding, adding they had lost a grant of £189,000 for the year.

Mr Forster said the offer included free rent and business rates which the charity would otherwise have to pay.

"We are doing everything in our gift to support where we can. However, the council cannot continue to provide the level of support it has done in the past to voluntary and charity organisations as it must live within its means and focus on core priorities," he said.

Laurence Oates, CAW chairman, said: "We recognise the need for CAW to move to a different funding model but the council's view that this is a really good outcome for CAW misses the point."

He said the board was exploring alternative sources of funding.

"Crowdfunding is one of those options, and we expect to announce a crowdfunding campaign for CAW in the near future," he said.

Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail].