Increased demand for advice charity's services

Demand for a charity's services has grown over the past year as cost of living and housing issues continue, its bosses have said.

Citizens Advice Cornwall said it helped 8,400 people in the 2023-24 period, a rise of 200 people compared to the previous year.

It said 31% of the people it helped came to the charity for advice on benefits and tax credits while 19% needed help with debt, 12% with universal credit and 11% with housing.

Jon Berg, Citizens Advice Cornwall's chief executive, said the charity expected to see similar level of need over the next few years.

The charity - which provides free and confidential advice to people with problems with matters such as debt, housing and work - said it was able to help people gain income worth £6.5m in 2023-24.

It said 60 volunteers worked with the charity during the year across several locations in Cornwall including Truro, Saltash and Penzance.

Mr Berg said: "We are continuing to see a high demand for our services and, with increases in energy costs this winter and the continued lack of affordable housing to rent, we expect to see similar levels of need over the next few years as well."

Wailim Wong, communications officer for Citizens Advice Cornwall, said a lot of the problems were interlinked.

He added it is important for people to remember help is available to them whenever they needed it.

"People might be in debt, falling behind with their energy bills and unable to pay their rent," Mr Wong said.

"Some people come to us almost at the last minute, sometimes when bailiffs are knocking on the door or they've got an order to pay their debts.

"It is important to remember help is available, that's why we're here and our tagline is 'we're here for everyone'."

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