For immediate release
Coventry Citizens Advice continues to provide advice for the most vulnerable
Despite the current challenges with the COVID – 19, Coventry Citizens Advice will continue to provide advice for those who need it despite their offices being closed to the public.
In response to the latest government advice regarding working from home, and avoiding unnecessary travel where possible, Coventry Citizens Advice have reviewed the potential corporate risk level now posed by COVID-19 and are implementing its contingency plan.
People are advised not to turn up at the offices but to call Adviceline on 03444 111 444 between 9:00 and 17:00 Monday to Friday or visit www.advicebuddy.org for local online advice.
A large proportion of its workforce will operate from home offering telephone and digital services to new and existing clients. Details of how to access existing projects are described on their website – https://www.coventrycitizensadvice.org.uk/blog/.
The charity will continue to monitor the situation on a daily basis and regular updates will be made available through its website and social media pages.
Citizens Advice is confident it can continue to operate and meet its clients’ needs effectively though no-one is putting a time limit on when normal service will be resumed or the impact a spreading COVID-19 will have on demand for advice services.
Kate Algate, Chief Executive Officer at Coventry Citizens Advice, said:
“While these are difficult times for all of our clients and staff we are fully committed to delivering the best service we possibly can through telephone and digital channels.
“We will continue to monitor the situation on a daily basis and urge anyone in need of free, independent, confidential and impartial information, advice or guidance to check our website and social media channels for updates and further developments.”
General information, on a range of issues from welfare benefits and debts to housing and consumer rights, is available through the national publicly-available Citizens Advice website – which can be found at www.citizensadvice.org.uk .
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For more information contact:
Kate Algate – Chief Executive Officer
KAlgate@coventrycab.org.uk
Mobile 07535 323138
Notes to editors
1. Coventry Citizens Advice is a local independent charity offering information, advice and guidance services which are free, independent, confidential and impartial: and available to all regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.
2. In 2018-19 Coventry Citizens Advice helped over 9,000 clients with 32,000 issues.
3. Coventry Citizens Advice is affiliated to the national charity Citizens Advice. For more information about Citizens Advice visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk .
4. In 2017-18 Citizens Advice helped 2.6 million people face to face, by phone, email and through webchat.
5. Citizens Advice staff are supported by over 23,000 trained volunteers, working at over 2,500 locations in England and Wales.
