More Thame residents seeking help from the Citizens Advice Bureau

THAME’s Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) is having to deal with an increasing number, and more complex cases, with less resources and is in need of more volunteers, not just advisors but also receptionists, administrators and IT support.

In the year 2018-2019, the CAB helped almost 2,500 people, 10% more than in the previous year, of which 800 were residents of Thame – up quite significantly from 630 the previous year. Many of these were people with problems with tax, Universal Credit, debt and women with violent partners. Because Housing Benefit is so low, those reliant on it have only a modest amount of money left after the high cost of housing in the area.

Although Thame CAB has been managing since the Bureau’s cut in funding from South Oxfordshire District Council, it is now looking for donors from the business community etc to help cover its costs, in this, the 40th year of operations here in Thame. Citizens’ Advice Bureaux were infact originally set up 80 years-ago to help citizens cope with war. The Bureau does receive an annual grant from Thame Town Council.

CAB Adviser, Sandy Davison receiving a generous cheque from Ilya Teideman of Thame & District Round Table back in May last year, to support the CAB’s Out of Hours service

The CAB service provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities. Anyone who would like more information about volunteering and training with Thame CAB, can email: thame@osavcab.org.uk