Citizens Advice SORT Group thanks its volunteers for their vital support during cost-of-living crisis

Thanks to the tireless dedication of its volunteers and staff, Citizens Advice SORT Group has continued to give essential advice and crisis support to help people find a way forward

As the cost-of-living crisis bites, Citizens Advice SORT Group (covering Stockport, Oldham, Rochdale and Trafford) has seen a huge number of enquiries from local people struggling to stay on top of household bills.

Thanks to the tireless dedication of its volunteers and staff, Citizens Advice SORT Group has continued to give essential advice and crisis support to help people find a way forward.

As part of Volunteers’ Week, which runs from 1 to 7 June 2022, Citizens Advice SORT Group wants to thank its volunteers for their exceptional contribution to the charity and local community. Each week, 21 volunteers contribute over 144 hours of help.

In the last year, Citizens Advice SORT Group has helped 46,543 people with 69,111  problems, such as debt, housing, benefit and employment issues.

Anne Trafford, Generalist Volunteer Adviser at Citizens Advice SORT Group has volunteered for 13 years. They said: “When I stopped work in 2009, I knew I needed something to do to occupy my interests and keep my mind active. I had been a trade union representative most of my working life so was used to helping people sort problems. I started volunteering in May 2009, and I’m still here.

“The sense of achievement when a client leaves in a much better place than they were when they arrived is tremendous. We can’t sort everything for everyone, but we can help sort the issues and next steps.

“I have just spent two years providing telephone advice from home but am now back to face-to-face advice and it is so good to be seeing clients in person and seeing colleagues in the office again.”

Jonathan Yates, Chief Officer at Citizens Advice SORT Group, said: “We have an incredible team of volunteers who freely give their time and skills to ensure people in Stockport, Oldham, Rochdale and Trafford can get support in their time of need.

“I’m particularly proud of the immense dedication they’ve shown during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, when demand for our help is so high.

“Their dedication and commitment knows no bounds. We simply couldn’t do it without them.”

For advice or support, contact Citizens Advice Rochdale at www.casort.org or call the Adviceline on 0808 278 7803