Campaigning for change
R&C 2019 year in review The experience of Citizens Advice gives a unique, fresh insight into the problems facing UK citizens. Citizens Advice Northumberland collects evidence of clients’ problems and uses this to campaign for changes in policies and services. We have a key role in speaking up for clients, raising issues brought into us, contributing to public debate and informing legislation.
Please click here to see our 2019 Year in review:
National campaigning
Each local Citizens Advice office sends information about the problems brought to them (but not about their clients) to National Citizens Advice. Evidence is collated to help campaign officers identify national trends. Citizens Advice can then present evidence to policy makers by writing reports and submissions and participating in consultations to improve policies.
More information on our national campaigning can be found here.
Local campaigning
Citizens Advice Northumberland use their client evidence to lobby MPs, councillors, the local authority and others, as well as presenting their findings in the media and taking part in awareness raising activities.
We have recently campaigned locally on issues such as:
- Universal Credit – Click here for our Impact and Summary report.
- Mobile phone debts
- Scams awareness
- Big Energy Savings Week
- Homelessness
- Council Tax Collection
Life Beyond Covid
Citizens Advice Northumberland and Silx Teen Bar, a youth project based in the centre of Blyth, have undertaken some joint research looking at the impact of COVID-19 on young people in the county.
The research was conducted after a call for submissions to the House of Lords COVID-19 Committee which is considering the long-term implications of the pandemic on the economic and social wellbeing of the United Kingdom.
The two Northumberland based charities provided the opportunity for the young people of Blyth to have their voices heard by recording their thoughts, hopes and concerns about their future. These recordings, as well as the thoughts of Silx youth workers, have been turned into one minute films and have been submitted to the committee alongside a written submission.
Further information can be found here