Advisers from local Citizens Advice now available at the foodbank

Thanks to funding from the Trussell Trust, Citizens Advice Elmbridge West (CAEW) are expanding their services to Walton & Hersham Foodbank locations, offering one-to-one financial advice sessions for people attending the foodbank.

The grant of £54,000 over three years, will fund experienced debt and benefit advisers to attend three sessions a week, at St John’s and St Andrew’s churches in Walton and St Peter’s church in Hersham. The advisers will offer support to people who may not be accessing Citizens Advice services through traditional routes.

The rising cost of living is increasing pressure on households and there has been an upsurge in people seeking help from Citizens Advice and local foodbanks. Similarly, advice on managing energy debts has reached unprecedented heights. The advisers will work with directly with clients, helping them manage their finances and make sure they are receiving all the support they are entitled to. 

Margaret Bourne, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice Elmbridge West said:

“It has been very successful to reach out to those in our community who may not have normally accessed our service. We hope that we can help and advise more people at the earliest opportunity, to avoid escalation of the issues people are facing.”

Nina Malyon, Walton & Hersham Foodbank Manager said:

“We are delighted to have received this grant and be working in partnership with Citizens Advice to enable foodbank clients to easily access money advice. We want to look to a future when people won’t need to use foodbanks and this is a helpful step towards that.”