Citizens Advice Guernsey reopens
THE Citizens Advice Guernsey charity has reopened its doors from today.
People will again have full access to free, face-to-face, confidential, impartial advice after the charity was reduced to a telephone-only service during lockdown.
CAG deputy chief executive Ali Marquis said she was pleased to return to business as usual.
‘As always, telephone advice is still available, but being able to offer face-to-face meetings again is important, as many clients prefer to deal with an adviser in person,’ she said.
The reopening would bring other benefits too.
‘Being back in the office means we’re also back to our normal opening hours, and with our full complement of trained advisers. That’s a return to full operating capacity, which is important as the pandemic has created some very real problems for people that don’t necessarily end with the lockdown.’
CAG recorded a 14% increase in the number of clients during this year’s lockdown, compared with the same period in 2020.
Chief executive Kerry Ciotti said: ‘We’ve seen the biggest increases in enquiries relating to employment and housing, which are fundamental parts of people’s lives.
‘The pandemic has had a major impact on many islanders, who are looking for help. That’s what we’re here for.’
The advice process followed strict guidelines from the national charity, which made working from home a challenge.
‘The fact that we managed to keep going was down to the determination of our volunteers, along with the generous support of Resolution IT and Sure Community Foundation. I’m so grateful to all of them,’ said Mrs Ciotti.
CAG gives free, confidential and impartial advice on any subject to about 4,000 islanders each year, which is approximately eight percent of the adult population. It also offers appointments with specialist money advisers, for help with negotiation on unmanageable debt, as well as budgeting.
n CAG is located at Bridge Avenue, St Sampson’s, and is open weekdays. Trained advisers can also be contacted by telephone, by calling 242266.
Opening times are 9.30am to 4pm on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, from 9.30am to 6.30pm on Wednesday, and from 9.30am to 12.30pm on Friday.
