MORE people are using the Citizens Advice Bureau – but it is still looking to reach a wider cross section of the community. Its annual report, discussed at yesterday evening’s AGM, showed a 5% increase in enquiries in 2003, mainly on legal matters. Advisers dealt with more than 7,600 issues.

‘It is quite a substantial increase, so we are delighted because it means we are reaching more people,’ said bureau manager Kate Raleigh.

‘For some people, the bureau is the obvious place to contact when they feel they need to discuss relationship problems or consumer or employment issues.

‘Unfortunately, we still meet people who say they wish they had thought of contacting us but had not realised that we could help with such a wide variety of problems.’

She said that many people had used the bureau to discuss legal matters, such as petty debts, eviction and legal aid, and to find out if they had a case worth taking to an advocate. Advisers have been trained to understand the new legal aid system.

‘There is no point people paying for an advocate when they can come to us for help, or we can help them prepare to see an advocate and save them time,’ said Mrs Raleigh.

‘We can’t be experts in everything, and some issues have become more complicated, but we know our limits and where we have to stop and refer them on to someone else.’

She also spoke yesterday evening about new initiatives for 2004 and how the bureau would be looking to reach the most vulnerable. It hoped to provide more of a service for non-local workers, who can be open to exploitation because they were unaware of their basic rights under housing or employment laws. The bureau will need to find more translation and interpreting resources.

‘We would like to be more successful in reaching the target groups and those who have no one else to go to, rather than just focusing on numbers.

‘We may need translators. Often people bring a friend to help, but they may not want them to know what their problem is.’

The bureau is also looking for funding to produce some guidelines for private tenants and wants to publish an information leaflet.

‘We often see clients who take out a lease and then have serious problems with either their landlord or their housing conditions,’ said bureau deputy manager Lisa Haggarty.

‘Of course, we also hear from landlords with problem tenants, but they have some protection under the law, whereas tenants have none. The bureau is the only source of free advice for these people.’

Other initiatives include undertaking projects on behalf of the Policy Council, investigating the feasibility of setting up a credit union for the island and the potential for financial skills education or a budgeting service. To help achieve these goals, more volunteers are needed.

‘We need people to join our team to be able to provide a better service and are always on the lookout,’ said Mrs Raleigh.

‘Anyone who can spare six-and-a-half hours a week who would like to do something interesting and rewarding can contact me at the bureau on 242266.’

It is based in Bridge Avenue, St Sampson’s, and is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9.30am until 4pm and on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9.30am until 12.30pm.