When money's tight and life throws curveballs, knowing where to turn for help can make all the difference. For 85 years, Citizens Advice East Hampshire has been that lifeline for local families, offering a steady hand through everything from wartime rationing to today's cost of living crisis.
What started as the Citizens Advice Bureau in 1939 – helping people navigate wartime regulations during the Second World War – has grown into something much bigger. Today, the charity tackles the issues that keep families awake at night: mounting debts, benefit claims, housing worries, workplace disputes, and consumer problems. It's a reflection of how our challenges have changed, but the need for trusted, independent advice hasn't.
You'll find Citizens Advice East Hampshire in Petersfield, Alton, and Liphook, making sure help is within reach wherever you live in the area. Whilst face-to-face meetings remain at the heart of what they do, they've also moved with the times – offering support over the phone and online. This means you can get help whether you're juggling work shifts, caring for family, or simply find it easier to talk from home.
The real heroes here are the volunteers – local people who've been trained to provide expert advice and genuinely care about helping their neighbours. They give up countless hours because they understand that sometimes all it takes is someone who knows the system to help you find your way through it. Thanks to them, thousands of people get the support they need each year.
This 85th anniversary isn't just about looking back – it's a reminder that independent advice services matter more than ever. With household budgets stretched and rules constantly changing, having somewhere to turn for clear, honest guidance is invaluable. Citizens Advice East Hampshire has weathered decades of change by staying true to what matters: helping real people solve real problems.
As they look to the future, the charity will keep evolving to meet whatever challenges come next. Their track record speaks for itself – 85 years of being there when the community needs them most, building trust one conversation at a time.