Citizens Advice Guernsey recorded 2,330 enquiries on money-related issues in 2019 and 137 new clients were referred to specialist money advisors.
The largest amount of debt, £2.7m., related to secured and unsecured loans, with large tax bills, hire purchase, catalogues and family loans also being common.
There were 64 dependant children living in the households under severe stress and hardship caused by unaffordable debt.
The overwhelming majority of people referred to the money advisors received a ‘full financial restitution negotiation service’ on the £4.3m. they owed.
Poor budgeting was the main reason for the debt, along with relationship breakdown, health issues, job loss and business failure.
The money advice service is made up of five trained advisors and they can see clients for a session at least once a week.
On top of that the general advisors also received more than 2,000 money-related enquiries on banking services, insurance, pensions, credit and liability for debt.
In his chairman’s report, Mark Helyar notes that Citizens Advice was set up 80 years ago at the outbreak of the Second World War, but its services remain as relevant and important to the public as they have ever been.
The independent charity gives a voice to people who might otherwise have been left behind, often helping people on low incomes who are not able to keep pace with the cost of living in the island.
Looking to the future, Covid-19 has created some new priorities for the management committee.
To continue providing thoughtful and significant advice and intervention, the committee is looking to replace the ageing IT and telephone system.
Despite the increased demand in 2019, the quality of the help remained high, with 91% of clients describing the experience as positive, and 98% likely to recommend the service to someone else.
Kerry Ciotti became the new chief executive officer last November and in her report she flagged up the kindness and dogged determination of the whole team.
‘While there were certain challenges facing the paid staff, the volunteers – as always – remained ever steady.
‘I am always in awe of the time and commitment our volunteers give in order to help improve people’s lives.
‘All of them carry out their roles to a high standard of professionalism and with smiles on their faces.
‘It makes me very proud to be working with such a wonderful group of people and I would like personally to thank them all for the support they have given me.’
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