Warwick district CAB manager has been ‘proud’ to be part of the charity

The 61-year-old, who first got involved in the charity in Reading 32 years ago, is taking her retirement at the end of June.

Having started out as a volunteer advisor as a young mother, Mrs Holland continued to volunteer at the CAB when she and her family moved to Warwickshire and soon became deputy manager of the Warwick district branch, before taking up the role of manager in 1984.

She said: “The CAB is about trying to address any unfairness in the community. I wish to make things better for people.”

Despite having worked there for such a long time, Mrs Holland said every year the job is different.

She said: “Every time there are changes made to the benefits system, there are losers and at the moment, there are more losers than gainers.

“The welfare reform is a big change which seems to me to be hitting the very people who are coming through our doors on a daily basis.

“Debt will only get worse. Rents are high in this area so any cut in housing benefits is a problem. There are people who just don’t have any money to spare.”

Although Mrs Holland describes some of the issues she sees through her jobs as “horrible”, she said: “The best aspects of the job have been working in a team of people who are all really in it for the same end - to make life better for everybody in their community.

“I am just the tip of the iceberg - all the hard work is done by the volunteers and advisors.

“I have been proud to work for the CAB. We know we make a difference to people’s lives so there is a lot of job satisfaction.”