CAB workload

8295 clients sought help from West Berkshire Citizens Advice Bureau

Volunteers gave 18,586 free advice hours

Advisers helped with over 13,656 enquiries

5,911 third parties were contacted on clients' behalf

3 people completed a 9 month adviser training course and a further 10 started it

More than 1200 client enquiries were answered by our Carers Advice Service

We also:

	implemented a new pre-recorded telephone advice message system which allows clients to receive basic advice when all advisors are busy or the Bureau is closed. 2,688 people made use of the system in 2008/9
	installed 4 touch screen kiosks in Newbury College, Newbury Hospital and the Council offices in Market Street Newbury and Sainsbury Calcot. 43,501 pages of information were accessed in 2008/9
	started alternate Wednesday evening drop in sessions with two firms of solicitors providing 20 minute free sessions.

Chairman's Report 2008 - 2009

This year has been characterised by the increasing demands made on the Bureau as a result of the current economic downturn. West Berkshire has not been exempt from the consequences and we have seen a significant increase in the numbers coming forward for help with Benefits and Employment. Overall the number of enquiries rose by 9% over the year but the rise over the last quarter was particularly high and suggests that this trend will continue.

I am always impressed with the way the staff and volunteers cope with the increasing demands on them in the very inadequate offices we have. They give unstintingly of their time and on behalf of the Trustees I would like to offer our thanks and appreciation.

In the coming year we face having to renegotiate our service agreement and funding for the next three years with West Berkshire Council. These negotiations come at a financially very difficult time for the Council. However they have always been very supportive of our services and we hope we can come to an agreement that helps us deal with the increasing demands on the Bureau.

The Trustees have also been looking at ways to widen our sources of funding and are particularly wanting to make the public and local businesses aware that we are a charity that receives no central funding from government or the national Citizens Advice. All our funding is raised locally from the local councils, charitable Trusts, businesses and local people. We hope to increase the base for our funding to give us more opportunities to improve and extend our services at a time when they are most needed.

This year we will be saying goodbye to one of our Trustees, Anthony Allen, who has served the Bureau for fifteen years, initially as a volunteer adviser and latterly as a Trustee. He was Chair of the Trustees for three years until he stood down last year. I would like to thank him for all he has done for the Bureau and wish him well for the future.

This year has also seen us add to our Trustee Board with the elections of Seona Myerscough and Andrew Morris at the last AGM. We also welcomed Steve Barford to the Trustees in January as the new representative from Sovereign Housing Association. These appointments have seen us add new skills to the Board and they are already making an excellent contribution.

I would also like to thank all my fellow Trustees for all the work they have done for the Bureau. They are a massive support to the Bureau and ensure that the resources and funds are well used to deliver excellent services to the people of West Berkshire.

Roger Winter
Chairman

If you would like to be sent a full copy of the latest Annual Report please contact us.