Citizens Advice Bus helps over 1,000 people in first year
The East Dorset and Purbeck service is marking its first anniversary
Last updated 28th Jun 2024
An 'advice bus', run by the East Dorset and Purbeck Citizens Advice branch, is celebrating a year of operations, and helping more than 1,000 people in that time.
The service runs five days a week, travelling to different parts of their area, with two members of staff on board to offer support.
The charity say of the people they've spoken to in the first year, 300 have never used Citizens Advice before.
Common issues for support included debt, benefits and housing.
Katrina Ford, Business Development Manager, Citizens Advice East Dorset & Purbeck, said:
“In these challenging times, local communities are really welcoming of the bus service. It has given much needed support to those who live in rurally isolated communities and who may not necessarily have been able to access existing services. In some cases, it’s been a lifeline to people.
“As an independent charity, we rely upon grants and donations to fund our service. It costs £40,000 to run the Advice Bus for a year. We would love to hear from any business, organisation or individuals who would be willing to support us.”
How does it help?
The service has shared a case study of one person the Advice Bus has helped - he couldn’t access existing office and outreach services due to mental health issues.
They've said it 'initially took a number of weeks for the client to visit the bus, although he had been in the vicinity several weeks prior to this':
"He would hide if other people were around and it would be difficult for the Advisers to locate him, almost as if he had the courage to come but this was lost if other people are around.
"Over four months he developed a trusting relationship with the advisers so is able to attend without fear or judgement. He is able to openly describe the difficulties he is facing.
"The client does not answer his phone so a weekly bus service means that he can retain contact and remain engaged with Citizens Advice. This has also meant that the actions placed on the client can be broken down into small manageable steps."
The Advice Bus stops at locations including:
East Dorset - Colehill, Corfe Mullen, Sixpenny Handley, St Leonards & St Ives, Sturminster Marshall, Three Legged Cross, Verwood and West Moors
Purbeck - Bovington, Corfe Castle, Lytchett Matravers, Swanage, Winfrith and Wool