News
VACANCY: Chair of the Board of Trustees
We are looking for a new Chair of the Board of Trustees (Volunteer) to join us at Citizens Advice Shropshire.
Citizens Advice Shropshire is seeking a visionary and strategic leader to become our next Chair of the Board of Trustees. This is a unique opportunity to guide a respected local charity through a period of exciting transformation — and help shape the future of free advice services for the people of Shropshire.
The successful candidate will formally take on the role no later than November 2026, following election by the Trustee Board.
Time Commitment
Approximately 1–2 days per month, including quarterly board meetings and occasional events.
How to Apply
To learn more about the role or ask questions on the application process, contact our current Chair, Chris Boote at ChrisBoote@cabshropshire.org.uk
Apply now by completing the Trustee application form
Join Us. Lead Us. Help Us Make Shropshire Stronger.
Keeping Warm: Photo Project, Finding the Welcome & Introduction Session Location
Welcome & Introduction Sessions will be held at The Hive, 5 Belmont, Shrewsbury, SY1 1TE on:
- Tuesday, 20 January from 10:00am-12:00pm
- Saturday, 7 February from 2:00pm-4:00pm
- Tuesday, 24 February from 12:00pm-2:00pm
When the safety net fails: Experiences of navigating local support services during the cost of living crisis
In Winter 2022/23 we surveyed and interviewed people of Shropshire to find out about the impact of rising costs on their lives. The people we spoke to told us they have to make tough choices with their money all day, every day, with no room for errors.
“We’re in a position where the income coming into the house is way less than the bills going out. We have been in an immensely difficult position for a very long period.”
For those we spoke to, this balancing act was often impossible. It was common for people to have gone without essentials such as adequate shelter and food.
In this report, we explore learnings from conversations we had on the local support system in Shropshire, along with recommendations for how we can work together to best support residents facing financial crises. By sharing lived experiences, we want to raise awareness of the stigma people face when accessing support.
Key themes that emerged from this research are:
- Navigating the social support system is not an easy task for people in Shropshire.
- Stigma is huge, but positive experiences of support can help to alleviate it.
- Not Having access to enough support has far-reaching implications for people’s lives.
- The cost of living is hitting Shropshire harder because of its rurality.
- The national safety net sets context for local support.
Based on those 5 key areas we recommend:
Partnership working
Shropshire needs a coordinated approach if we are to support our residents effectively.
- Our local system needs to effectively triage those seeking support.
- Shropshire’s key forum for partnership working, the Social Taskforce, must continue and be adequately resourced.
- Ongoing training for staff and volunteers to ensure they feel confident in helping people to navigate the system.
- Data sharing between organisations to help proactively identify local residents who may be in need of support.
Support system design
Local services should be designed to protect people’s dignity and help individuals to come forward for support.
- There should be multiple points of entry to access support. There must be alternatives to digital, and some face-to-face support available in each town.
- Services should be trauma-informed and raise awareness of the challenges and stigma caused by financial difficulty.
- Review and improve the design of application systems for local support to ensure it is distributed fairly. Clear and transparent criteria for local support schemes and simple and accessible forms are particularly important.
- There should be a preference for a ‘cash first’ approach when delivering local crisis support.
Recognition of the value of the local voluntary sector
The voluntary sector plays a vital role in local support systems, but resources are needed to be able to do this.
- Invest in building trusted relationships across sectors. Clear communication and recognition of the expertise, professionalism and reach of the sector will help to make sure that all players in the local support system feel like equal partners.
- Identify funding for local advice services. Local advice services bring more money to the local economy by encouraging uptake of underclaimed benefits. They also save other services money by preventing people from falling into crisis and costing the local system more in the long-term.
- Funding for the voluntary sector needs to be future proofed, to ensure the sector is able to recruit and retain the skilled staff it needs.
Advocating for ‘big picture’ change
While there is much change that can be effected at a local level, it is important to make sure the wider context of the challenges we face is not forgotten.
- Local leaders and decision-makers should advocate for changes in the funding formula for rural areas to ensure it accurately reflects the needs of a rural population and the additional costs of delivering services in rural counties.
We want to thank everyone who engaged with this research project. Most of all those who agreed to be interviewed. We recognise that sharing your personal experiences and perspectives was not easy. We want to thank you for your time, courage and openness.
Citizens Advice urges more support as cost-of-living crisis mounts in Shropshire
Citizens Advice Shropshire is warning that – without further government action – people across Shropshire risk falling into severe hardship in order to shoulder energy price hikes.
The local charity, which has seen the number of people needing help with energy debts increase by 21% since last year, has found that:
- 19% in West Midlands are currently unable to afford energy bills, even if they cut back or fall behind on other essentials
- This jumps to 32% of people after the energy price cap hike on 1st April
Citizens Advice Shropshire is calling for urgent government help. Firstly by increasing benefits in April in line with the current rate of inflation, rather than last September’s rate. And secondly, by offering further support to prevent families once again choosing between heating and eating in October when the price cap is predicted to rise again.
Alison, Advisor at Citizens Advice Shropshire said:
“We talk to Shropshire residents every day and we have noticed a huge increase in people who don’t know how they will make ends meet. A typical working family, who were just about managing, are now needing to turn to Foodbanks to feed their children, and are falling behind with their household bills. The huge increase in energy bills feels like the final straw.”
Jackie Jeffrey, Chief Officer of Citizens Advice Shropshire said:
“At Citizens Advice Shropshire we’re seeing first hand that the budgets of people across Shropshire are being pushed to the brink.
“Current measures announced by the government don’t go far enough. Only 7% of people across the region think the energy rebate will make a significant difference to their ability to pay their energy bill from October. If the government doesn’t at least increase benefits to match the current rate of inflation, many more households will be pushed to crisis point.”
#KeepTheLifeline advice press release
Universal Credit cut: Everything you need to know
Over the coming weeks, people claiming Universal Credit will receive notifications about a cut to their benefits this autumn. Benefits experts at Citizens Advice Shropshire, which is campaigning against the cut, set out what this means for claimants.
When will the cut happen?
As it stands, the government is set to slash benefits by £20 a week – equivalent to £1,040 a year – from 6 October. The exact date people will see the cut kick in will depend on the day they get their Universal Credit payment. For many, this means September will be the last month they see their benefits paid at existing levels.
How many people will be affected?
If plans go ahead, the cut will hit nearly six million people on Universal Credit. This includes 7327 people in North Shropshire, 7231 people in Shrewsbury and Atcham and 4934 people in Ludlow.
According to the latest available figures, approximately 40% of residents set to see their benefits drop are families with children and 42% are already in work.
How much could I lose?
While every Universal Credit claim will drop by around £85 a month, the proportion of income claimants will lose will vary depending on their circumstances. Single people under 25 are set to be hit by the biggest drop.
Monthly standard allowances will drop:
- By a quarter for single claimants under 25, from £344 to £257.33
- By a fifth for single claimants over 25, from £411.51 to £324.84
- By 17% for joint claimants under 25, from £490.60 to £403.93
- By 14% for joint claimants over 25, from £596.58 to £509.91
What support is available if I’m worried about my income?
You’re not alone and there is support available. Everyone’s situation is different which is why speaking to a trained adviser may be helpful. Depending on your circumstances, support could include:
- A benefits check. This will help you verify you’re getting all the support you’re entitled to. You can use an online calculator as a starting point.
- Support with essential costs. You can contact Shropshire council to see if they can give you any extra help from a hardship fund, including food or essential things like clothes. shropshire.gov.uk
- Help with debt. Some bills can cause you more problems than others if you don’t pay them. Rent or mortgage arrears, energy bills and council tax are your priority debts as there can be serious consequences if you don’t pay them. Citizens Advice Shropshire can provide guidance if you’re struggling with bills.
- Free school meals. If you have children and you get certain benefits, you might be able to get free school meals for your children.
- Food bank vouchers. If you can’t afford the food you can ask for a referral from Citizens Advice Shropshire or an organisation that’s already supporting you – for example, a charity, school or children’s centre – for a food bank voucher.
Jackie Jeffrey at Citizens Advice Shropshire, said:
“Many people seeking our advice at the moment are unaware of an impending cut to their Universal Credit. Understandably, when they realise their benefits are set to drop by £20 a week it causes a lot of anxiety.
“If you’re in this position, remember you are not alone and there is support available. As a first step, make sure you’re checking your online journal regularly so you know how much your benefits will reduce by and when.
“Citizens Advice Shropshire, which is campaigning against the cut, is on hand to help you if you’re worried about making ends meet.”
-ends-
We give people the knowledge and confidence they need to find their way forward – whoever they are, and whatever their problem.
- Figures on how many people will see a cut to their benefits refer to the working age population. Data from May 2021.
- The latest available data for the number of families with children on Universal Credit is from February 2021.
#KeepTheLifeline summer press release
‘Keep Universal Credit lifeline’ urges Citizens Advice
- Benefits cut of £20-a-week set to hit 1 in 9 in Shropshire
- Local charity warns of increased debt and hardship if ‘lifeline’ ends in October
Citizens Advice Shropshire is urging the government against a cut to Universal Credit that would impact 1 in 9 working-age people in Shropshire.
According to the latest available figures, approximately40% of Shropshire residents set to see their benefits drop are families with children and 42%are already in work.
Staff and volunteers at the local charity have helped 1942people with Universal Credit since March last year. It says the £20 a week increase has been a ‘lifeline’ and has supported people who were already struggling before the pandemic as well as those hit by Covid job losses.
The charity warns a cut to the benefit this autumn – as energy bills rise with the colder weather – will see many struggle to afford their essential costs. It fears a drop in income could be particularly difficult for new benefits claimants who may be unaware of the looming cut.
Cases seen by frontline advisers include a single mum of 3 school aged children who told us the £20 uplift was enabling her to pay for broadband connection so that her children could do their schoolwork at home. With £20 uplift due to end she did not know if she would be able to maintain this and she was worried how this would impact on her children education, with most homework/home study now being online.
Alison, Advice Session Supervisor of Citizens Advice Shropshire said:
‘’The £20 per week uplift has been a lifeline for working families who are facing rising household bills alongside threats of redundancy or unstable zero hours contracts. Families that are already worried about how they will put food on the table every week and keep their homes warm this winter before the £20 cut to their incomes.’’
Sue, Debt Caseworker of Citizens Advice Shropshire said:
‘’It is acknowledged that there are enormous levels of debt to be dealt with in the coming months/years. For anyone who has fallen into rent arrears, retaining the £20 uplift would make the difference between managing a small payment to pay off the arrears, and avoiding possession action, or failing and potentially losing their home.’’
Jackie Jeffrey, Chief Officer of Citizens Advice Shropshire said:
“Every day, our staff and volunteers see the difference the increase to Universal Credit has made to families. It’s what has helped them keep their heads above water.
“Without that extra money, we fear we’d see more people coming to us in debt, unable to pay their bills or turning to food banks because they can’t afford the essentials.
“As we look to rebuild from Covid, the government must invest in the benefits system and keep this vital lifeline.”
-ends-
We give people the knowledge and confidence they need to find their way forward – whoever they are, and whatever their problem.
- Figures on how many people will see a cut to their benefits refer to the working age population. Data from May 2021.
- The latest available data for the number of families with children on Universal Credit is from February 2021.