Karen Evans, Manager at South Lakes Citizens Advice has been filling us in about the important work the service does and how you can help...

"South Lakes Citizens Advice is your local, trusted charity which provides an advice service, which is free, independent, confidential and impartial to those in the South Lakes area.

We provide a generalist advice service in Debt, Benefits, Employment, Housing, Consumer, Relationship, and much more. This is delivered by our volunteer team, supported by paid supervisor. A volunteer will give at least 7 hours of their time free per week. All our advice volunteers are fully trained and must complete the national Citizens Advice training programme, which can take 12 months. This training is at no cost to the volunteer. All volunteer cost including training costs, travel cost and supervision are covered from our unrestricted funds.

In addition, our Money Advice caseworkers provide advice and support for more complex cases. This includes negotiating with creditors, setting up affordable repayment plans, maximising income or setting up Debt Relief Orders. We can also place clients into the Government’s Breathing Space option. We can also give welfare benefits advice for those living with cancer.

We can access further specialist advice from our national body for:

• Housing
• Immigration
• Employment.

Who do we help?

Most of the people we support require our services because they are vulnerable, facing discrimination, and/or are disadvantaged for various reasons.

• 59% of our clients have a disability or long-term health issues.
• Our service is open to all age groups.
• Females access the service more - we continue to see an increase in domestic, financial and physical abuse.

Our achievements

During the first quarter of this year, (April – June 2025) we have dealt with:

• 712 new clients.
• 2,328 client issues, a client usually has 4 issues per case.
• We have raised £106,242 in financial outcomes for our clients – money which the persons are entitled to, or money they were owed, which is then spent in the local community.

So, would you like to offer your support to your local Citizens Advice service and help us make a difference?

We are a local charity and therefore must raise funding to meet our running costs – could you made a financial donation to our service?

Do you have time to spare, why not apply to join our valuable team of volunteers, we have a number of volunteer opportunities both at our Kendal and Ulverston offices.

We have volunteer vacancies on our Trustee Board. Trustees handle the strategic and financial direction of the service, a challenge at times but rewarding.

If you want to know more about South Lakes Citizens Advice, please contact Karen Evans, email: manager@southlakesca.org.uk or call 07824355467. We can then arrange a visit to the office at Wainwright's Yard Kendal to meet the team and look at how you can support us in delivering our valuable service. Thank you!"

- Karen Evans, Manager at South Lakes Citizens Advice