How The Chesterton House Foundation is Supporting Charnwood Citizens Advice Bureau

We were pleased to award a £1,000 grant to Citizens Advice Charnwood, a local independent charity providing free, confidential advice to people facing challenges across Charnwood.

Despite being one of the most recognised advice services in the country, many people assume Citizens Advice is government‑funded. In reality, local bureaux like Citizens Advice Charnwood are independent charities and rely on grants, project funding and community support to continue their vital work — even though they are quality‑assured and part of the wider Citizens Advice network.

Supporting volunteers to go into the community

Citizens Advice Charnwood is delivered by a passionate team of volunteers and a small paid staff team. In 2024–25, 51 volunteers gave around 12,500 hours of their time — a contribution that would be worth an estimated £230,000 if it were paid.

Across the borough, many residents are unable to visit the main office — whether because they lack transport, face mobility issues, or struggle with digital or financial exclusion. The grant we provided helped enable volunteers to travel out into the community, meeting people where they are and ensuring face‑to‑face support can still be offered to those who need it most.

This outreach is critical in helping people with welfare benefits, debt, housing, employment and other complex issues. Many clients who are digitally excluded or need to show documents in person benefit significantly from this direct contact — and trainee advisers gain valuable experience that can only come from working alongside clients and colleagues.

A service valued by the community

In 2024–25, Citizens Advice Charnwood helped 3,785 residents, guiding them through issues that can feel overwhelming without expert support. Their work also secured an estimated £1.9 million in benefits for local people — money that often makes a real difference to household stability and wellbeing.

This level of support helps reduce stress, prevent homelessness, and strengthen understanding of rights and responsibilities — outcomes that matter deeply to people living and working across Charnwood.

Investing in people and resilience

The £1,000 grant contributed to the continuing ability of volunteers to reach out beyond the office and connect with residents who otherwise might struggle to access support. It helped ensure Citizens Advice Charnwood could maintain face‑to‑face services and build trust within the community, reinforcing that advice and guidance should be accessible to all.

We were proud to support a charity whose work truly underpins community resilience, helping people navigate life’s challenges with dignity and confidence.