Citizens Advice south Warwickshire lands £125,000 grant from Warwick charity

Citizens Advice South Warwickshire is celebrating the new year with the announcement of more than £125,000 in funding for a vital project helping people in crisis in Warwick.

The charity, founded during the Second World War to offer free, confidential and impartial advice, will receive an annual grant of £42,000 for the next three years from the Charity of Thomas Oken and Nicholas Eyffler.

The grant will support the Reach Out and Help project and a new debt support service.

In light of the current pandemic, this new expansion comes at a much-needed time for Warwick town residents as job losses and difficult economic times are expected.

The service helps people in crisis who aren’t able to access help at normal advice sessions.

Clive Mason, chairman of the Charity of Thomas Oken and Nicholas Eyffler, which was set up in the 16th century, said: “This year has been harsh for many people in our town and the trustees have spent considerable time selecting projects that will have the greatest impact for those in need, which is the principal aim of our charity.

"We are therefore delighted to continue to work with Citizens Advice South Warwickshire for a further three years, enabling them to expand this service at a time of crisis.

"This programme complements other projects that we fund, which focus on mental health and early years support.”

Yvonne Hunter, chair of trustees for Citizens Advice South Warwickshire, said: “We are so grateful for this support, which we know will enable us to help those who are disadvantaged, vulnerable or isolated.

"The pandemic is expected to have a deep impact on people who are already living in desperate situations.

"A commitment for a further three years and with a greater focus on debt will equip us to deliver a real difference to many people.

“The problems we find behind these closed doors can be heart-breaking, but this new project seeks to offer not only advice and advocacy support but much needed formal debt support with a dedicated debt worker to meet people’s needs and help them put their lives back together."