Citizens Advice Guernsey suspends services
AN AGEING IT system has left a charity with no choice but to suspend all of its advice services.
Citizens Advice Guernsey has closed its office on the Bridge until further notice.
Chief executive Kerry Ciotti said it had to protect its volunteers, as it did not have the technology to enable them to work from home.
‘Like many other charities and organisations, Citizens Advice Guernsey is having to close temporarily,’ she said.
‘This really was a tough decision for the management committee, but the safety of our people is paramount.
‘Sadly, our IT and infrastructure does not support remote working, so our volunteers and staff must attend the office in person in order to help islanders.
‘We managed to stay open throughout the first lockdown but, even with social distancing and full infection prevention measures in place, the current level of community transmission of Covid-19 is a real concern.
‘The committee does not wish to compromise the health and wellbeing of its loyal volunteers and staff, who are our most valuable resource, so, very reluctantly, we are closing the office for now. Rest assured that we’ll be back just as soon as it’s safe to reopen.’
Each year, Citizens Advice Guernsey gives free, confidential and impartial advice to about 4,000 islanders, which is about 8% of the adult population. Mrs Ciotti said that figure was likely to increase in line with regional Citizens Advice offices throughout Britain, which are experiencing increased demand due to problems resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.
Last year, 331 CAB offices throughout England and Wales were forced to close temporarily, switching to telephone advice and webchats thanks to a grant to frontline charities from the UK Chancellor.
Citizens Advice Guernsey offers islanders advice on a broad range of issues, including employment, housing, discrimination, debt and relationships.
‘We’d dearly love to stay open for islanders, but the costs of an IT upgrade to support remote working are prohibitive for a small local charity like Citizens Advice Guernsey; especially when our funding stream was impacted by the closure of the Friends of Citizens Advice Charity Shop during last year’s lockdown,’ said Mrs Ciotti.
More than 80% of the charity’s funding came from its charity shop, and from the generosity of the public.
‘We desperately need an IT upgrade, plus support for the associated running costs, to keep operating in situations like this.
‘Anyone who feels they can help should visit our website www.citizensadvice.org.gg to make a donation, or via giving.gg/donate/charity/7. Any support will be gratefully received.
Alternatively, they can contact me at admin@citizensadvice.org.gg.’
