25% jump in calls to Newtown's Citizens Advice

Phone calls to Newtown's Citizen's Advice Powys HQ for help have increased by twenty-five per cent.

The charity has been providing support by phone and online since the beginning of the pandemic. It has received financial help for a Newtown Advice Project from the town council to ensure town's people have access to advice.

In a report to next week's Newtown Town Council Resources Committee, the CAN says calls to its advice line have increased by 25% and there has been a 20% increase in referrals from support agencies.

"We continue to deliver this service via the telephone and have many clients reporting that they are happy with telephone advice. Being able to have the appointment in the comfort of their own home is reducing the need to travel to the office, they feel safe and can address their issues in a familiar environment," said the report.

"We are working towards making our services as accessible as possible by introducing new access options including: Self-referral via our website, formal referrals and Facebook."

The Citizens Advice is providing help five days a week by telephone with clients able to leave messages before the CAB team call them back.

Video appointments have also been provided for British Sign Language users.