Citizens Advice service gets extra funding in The Marches area

Hereford and Shropshire Citizens Advice Bureaux have been successful in a bid for extra Government funding to champion the needs of consumers in The Marches area. 

Through developing strong, joint working relationships at a local level between consumer organisations and partners such as Shropshire Council’s trading standards service, the Bureaux will set up a Marches Consumer Empowerment Partnership with the money. 

The aim of the Partnership will be to empower and protect consumers locally through targeted campaigns, advocacy and education. 

Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for trading standards, said: 

“With household budgets under strain from ever-rising prices, it’s essential that consumers have the skills and confidence to make the right decisions for them.  When things go wrong, consumers can find it difficult knowing which way to turn.  This new Partnership will give the opportunity to build on the recently-launched Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline, and promote campaigns and gather evidence locally on what is affecting consumers in Shropshire and The Marches. 

“It’s an exciting opportunity for our local trading standards service, and others, to work closely together in this new Partnership for the benefit of local consumers.” 

Gwilym Butler, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for the voluntary and community sector, added:- 

“It’s great that the national association of bureaux have awarded extra funding to the local Citizens Advice Bureaux, which are mostly staffed by trained volunteers providing free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to all, including consumers.  The charities that comprise the Bureaux network are ranked by the public as being the most helpful, professional and reputable, so don’t hesitate to contact the service for advice.” 

For consumer advice you can call 08454 040506 Mondays to Fridays 9am-5pm. 

For other areas of advice call 08444 991100 in Shropshire.