Local companies step in to save Citizens Advice

Earlier this week, CEO Kerry Ciotti explained how the office would have to suspend its services due to its ageing IT system not being able to cope with the demands of home-working for its employees.

Since the announcement, local firms and organisations got in contact to see how they could help.

'It was really heartening and a great credit to the local business community,' Mrs Ciotti said.

Citizens Advice Guernsey will begin offering advice over the telephone from Monday, with volunteers working remotely from their homes for the first time.

Mrs Ciotti confirmed that the Sure Community Foundation and Resolution IT were providing the charity with upgraded telephony and IT at short notice.

'I can’t tell you how grateful we are for this timely and generous offer of help,' she said.

'It means that we can offer the same quality of service over the phone throughout lockdown, which is when many islanders will be wanting our help.'

Resolution IT CEO Olly Duquemin said as soon as he learned that an essential service like Citizens Advice had to close, he was sure there was something the company could do to help get them quickly operational again.

A spokesperson for the Sure Community Foundation added: 'We are always looking for opportunities to help local charities and helping the Citizens Advice like this was no exception.'

Volunteers at Citizens Advice are motivated to work hard and help clients, which is why it meant so much to have the business community step in to support them through this difficult time.

'In helping Citizens Advice they are helping Guernsey,' she said.

• Citizens Advice Guernsey is offering free, confidential and impartial advice over the telephone from Monday 2 February, from 9.30am to 12.30pm on weekdays.

• To access advice call 242266. Full opening hours will resume as soon as the charity’s office on Bridge Avenue is able to reopen.

• For more information visit citizensadvice.org.gg or email admin@citizensadvice.org.gg