Our successes

In the year to 31 March 2010:

• the bureau saw nearly 3000 new clients and had 8672 client contacts, a 3.1 % increase on the previous year

• we helped clients gain £134,281 in additional income, money available to be spent in the local community (The figure for the first six months of 2010/11 is £117,000)

• we represented clients at 15 social security tribunals with 14 being successful

• at the County Court, we helped 156 families avoid re-possession, thereby preventing homelessness

• 96% of clients responding to our client satisfaction survey said they found the advice given useful or very useful

• the annual economic value to the community of the time freely given by our volunteers is £334,652 based on hourly rates supplied by Citizens Advice nationally. This represents enormous value added to our funders