Citizens Advice Reading is an independent charity giving free, confidential, impartial advice to the people of Reading for 85 years. Last year over 5,000 people used our services and we helped them deal with over 35,000 different problems - most commonly with benefits, debt, housing, employment, immigration and asylum.
This advice resulted in debts written off and other financial wins for clients of £428,495 and income gains for clients totalling £7,478,950 in 2023-24.
87% of clients asked said they would recommend our service with 84% finding a way forward with their issues and problems. All of this benefits individuals and communities in and around Reading Borough Council.
We have an annual turnover of around £800,000 a year, but we get no grant funding - we are entirely dependent upon contracts for commissioned services, and donations. We currently have around 30 paid staff and 50 volunteers, almost all part-time. We are governed and managed locally, but we are also part of National Citizens Advice, a large and influential national organisation. Last year, for the second year running, they awarded us an excellent rating in every area of governance, management and service delivery - the highest possible classification.
