Birmingham Citizens Advice Bureau is the charity for the community. We supported over 50,000 people each year and we are the first place the people of Birmingham go when they do not know where to turn. Many of our clients are in crisis, and can be at risk of losing their homes, jobs or families.
We also provide advice to some of the most vulnerable sections in society: people with cancer come to us for advice on how to financially adjust, disabled people come to us for help with complicated forms and procedures and we also help Service personnel past and present through our project with The Royal British Legion.
The advice we provide covers a multitude of issues including employment, consumer, debt, benefits, health, tax, housing and immigration. We provide assistance through four drop-in bureaux, a telephone and email advice line and outreach services, so we can connect with even the most isolated people.
We provide advice at a time when people need it most, and empower them so that they can lead a better quality of life.
We are: independent, impartial, confidential and free.
Last year, we brought nearly £14 million of new income into the city and helped clients manage over £41 million of debt. This was achieved with the help of our 300 dedicated volunteers.
Our volunteering opportunities offer skills to those who are unemployed, give those recovering from long term illness a chance to get back into work, and equip young people to start their working life.
40% of our volunteers go on to find paid employment in a variety of sectors, showing our service is not only a lifeline to our clients, but is also invaluable to the career prospects and life choices of our volunteers.
We value diversity, promote equality and challenge discrimination.
Our mission is to provide free, accurate, relevant and helpful advice, to all those who seek our assistance, in a safe, non-discriminatory environment.