Your campaign to highlight the role of Citizens Advice and their partners is wholeheartedly welcomed by all in the voluntary advice sector (Guardian and Observer charity appeal 2022, 9 December). It is drawing much-needed attention to the role quietly played by advice agencies in helping people to address the problems they face on a daily basis. We send our thanks to you and your readers.
At a recent meeting of our members (Advice Services Alliance is the sector-wide umbrella body for the advice sector – Citizens Advice is one member), all reported an increase in clients facing debt, housing and benefits problems, with every case complex and difficult to resolve. Inevitably, staff are stressed and demoralised, and as volunteers leave and paid staff move to better-paid jobs, the sector is experiencing a severe skills drain.
