CAB Campaigning

• The Citizens Advice service helps people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing free advice and by influencing policymakers.

• Our experience gives us a unique insight into the problems facing both our clients and other citizens.  We have a key role in speaking up for clients, raising issues brought into bureaux, contributing to public debate and informing legislation.

• We collect evidence of your problems and use this to campaign for changes in policies and services.  Citizens Advice regularly publishes evidence reports and briefings, responses to consultations and parliamentary briefings on a huge range of issues.

•  In Guildford CAB we work to change things we believe are unfair and to influence policies before they come into operation.  We use our knowledge of what happens to our clients to try to ensure that any changes made will improve matters for everyone – not just those who have asked us for help.

• We do this through our contacts with MPs, councillors, local and national government officials among others.

What can you do?

• Take part in any surveys that we are running. 

• Look at the Guildford CAB website (www.guildfordcab.org.uk) and Citizens Advice website (www.citizensadvice.org.uk) to complete any online surveys that apply to you and to get information about our current and recent campaigns.

• If you are visiting the Bureau  our Receptionist will tell you if we need your help with a current survey and you may be asked to complete one whilst you are waiting.

• We have recently asked all clients to complete short surveys about dentists.  Thanks to all those clients who took part.  Click here to see the results.

• When you visit or telephone the Bureau for advice, tell your adviser if you believe you have been treated unfairly or have been discriminated against in any way.  Sometimes there will be nothing we can do even though the treatment seems to be wrong.  But we can tell people who may be able to change things and it may lead to changes in the future.

• Let your adviser know if you would like to take part in any action to get things changed – this might include writing to your MP, local councillor or other organisation.

•  Tell your adviser if you would be willing to take part in any publicity about your problem – both local and national.