About Us
We help people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free, independent and confidential advice, and by influencing policymakers.
We operate from two offices across Mole Valley alongside outreach centres, offering telephone, walk-in and appointment services Monday to Friday.
We use the information we gather carrying out this work to campaign for social justice, so that individuals do not suffer through a lack of knowledge or an inability to express themselves effectively.
As the impact of the recession continues to bite, we provide an increasingly vital front-line service for those in the greatest need in our local community.
The benefits of our work are not limited to improving our clients’ financial situation but also contribute to improving their health, reducing their stress and improving their confidence in dealing with their own problems.
Our funding
Citizens Advice Mole Valley is an independent local charity.
We depend on local funding from local authorities, local charitable trusts, local businesses and private donations. Our highly trained volunteer force, who give their free time to help local people, enable us to keep our overheads to an absolute minimum.
- Donations help us to continue providing free independent advice and to develop our services in line with local needs.
- Donating online is a safe and easy way to help us to keep our vital work going.
Who we work with
We are keen to work closely with other organisations wherever this helps us to offer a better service to our clients and to maximise the positive impact we make on people lives.
Examples of this include working with:
- Mole Valley District Council to ensure that appropriate information and advice is available to local people on a range of issues including debt, benefits entitlements and housing.
- Working with Surrey County Council on their No One Left Behind project.
- Going to drop in sessions at Leatherhead Advice Cafe and Harvest Community Church.
Our History
Citizens Advice has provided free, confidential and independent advice for the past 70 years. Adapting to the ever changing needs of society has made Citizens Advice the most recognised and trusted provider of information and advice in the country.
As an established part of many local communities we are in almost every town and city in the country. Our service is very well known, with 95% of the public aware of it (MORI 2005).
We have been helping local people in Mole Valley since 1939, when the Citizens Advice Bureau opened one of its very first local offices in Leatherhead. Dorking opened in 1941 operating at first from a horse box. Citizens Advice Mole Valley was established in 2006 by the merger of Leatherhead with Dorking Citizens Advice.
Top Problems 2020/2021
During the year which saw the Covid19 pandemic hit, we quickly adapted our service to provide advice and support remotely via telephone, email and post, instead of face-to-face in our offices due to social distancing measures. The life changing impacts of Covid19 meant we advised 800 more clients than in the previous year, with client problems relating to benefits and universal credit also substantially increasing.
Top Problems:
- Benefits Universal Credit (25%)
- Benefits & tax credits (17%)
- Housing (11%)
- Employment (11%)
- Debt (8%)
- Relationships & families (6%)
- Other (22%)
In 2020/2021 Statistics
Over 4,600 clients advised
Over 19,000 issues handled
Over £127,500 of debt written-off
Our Value to the Community
Every year our 70+ highly-skilled volunteers and their work is estimated to be worth well over £350,000.
We have a positive financial impact locally by:
- helping clients secure financial entitlements
- saving families from homelessness
- rescheduling debt
Value of Volunteering
We have over 70 volunteers working with us in a wide range of roles, including advisers, receptionists, administrators, fundraisers and campaigners.
As well as the direct benefits to our clients volunteering helps people to build relationships, networks and bonds of trust. It is widely recognised as having a positive impact on local communities, and is often described as “the glue that holds communities together.” It also raises individual’s aspirations and encourages community participation.
Real Life Stories
Fighting the Threat of Homelessness – read more
Caring for her disabled son – read more
With your support, we can help more people find a way forward. Make a donation.