Citizens Advice has two key aims –

• To provide the advice people need for the problems they face
• To improve the policies and practices that affect people’s lives

To achieve this second aim, Chelmsford CAB campaigns for change - like all the other bureaux round the country.

Many of our clients come to us for advice and information on their rights, or where to turn for more help and support. Often their problems can then be resolved, or at least they have taken some steps on the way.

However, a large number of the problems faced by clients coming to our bureau are caused by unfair rules and regulations or by the law not being applied properly. We also hear a lot about very poor levels of service and discrimination against some groups of people.

To try to resolve these kinds of issues and to stop them happening in the future, we need to address the causes of the problems – which may mean making complaints to companies, employers or government agencies, contacting our local MPs, or talking to council officials.

We also pass evidence of all these kinds of problems on to Citizens Advice head office. They put together information received from hundreds of bureaux round the country, lobbying for changes in the law or practices at national level.

Read more about Citizens Advice campaigning work

Contact Clare Palmer, Social Policy Co-ordinator, for more information on campaigning at Chelmsford CAB.