Since 2020 the number of clients in the East Riding of Yorkshire who we have been supporting – both new clients and returning clients has been on the increase. We have then seen another substantial increase since the start of the Cost-of-Living Crisis. During the last three months, our three East Riding of Yorkshire offices have supported over 300 clients with crisis support (this figure is comprised of requests for fuel vouchers, food vouchers and charitable support).

National data shows that Citizens Advice have helped over 25,000 clients who with referrals to food banks. These were all clients who have not been to us for advice before and this figure is the total for the last three months. The figures for those clients who have been helped before is over 27,000 for the same period. Both of these figures are one of the highest since May 2019 for both groups. By September 2023, national data showed that over 175,000 clients have been helped with crisis support this year. The figure at this point in the year is higher than for any other year on record.

Being aware of and monitoring National and local trends helps us to ensure we are as prepared as possible to support our local residents. Recent months have seen an increase in focus on supporting our rural communities across the East Riding. We have expanded our debt specialist capacity across the area and we are now offering advice sessions across more venues in order to reach more people in need.

We are always looking for more funding opportunities in order to expand our services to meet an ever-increasing demand for help and advice. Those advice needs are becoming increasingly more complex and we are beginning to see people who have a range of needs.

It is therefore vital that at Citizens Advice Hull and East Riding, we continue to provide help and support to anyone that needs it from us.

We still continue to gather and report evidence of the cost-of-living crisis that members of our community are facing to National Citizens Advice to allow them to continue their vital campaign work.

Finally, we continue our ongoing recruitment drive for volunteer advisers who give up their time to support the most vulnerable members of our local communities. We have a variety of opportunities available across all of our offices.

For more information on this and how to access advice, please visit our website https://www.hullandeastridingcab.org.uk/