CITIZENS’ Advice East Hampshire has been celebrating volunteers who dedicate their time to solving people’s problems and making a difference to their lives.

Thank you letters have gone out both nationally from the head of Citizens Advice in London as well as locally, and volunteers will be treated to cakes throughout the coming weeks.

The announcement came during Volunteers Week, which ran from June 1-7, and had the theme volunteering for all, as a way for Citizens’ Advice to highlight the work of its team, which helps people in the community struggling with debt, housing, benefit and employment issues.

The 80 volunteers at Citizens’ Advice East Hampshire give up at least 600 hours each week and last year helped 5,500 people with 15,000 problems.

The charity’s volunteers have played a crucial role ensuring people in Alton, Petersfield and Bordon, as well as the rest of East Hampshire, get the advice and support they need to get on with their lives.

Citizens’ Advice offers a wide range of voluntary roles, seeking fundraisers, advisers, administrators, and trustees.

Al started volunteering at one of the CAB’s East Hampshire offices when he retired from working for a local authority.

He said: “When I retired, I realised that my skills and experiences at work could continue to be well utilised to help people sort out their problems and get on with their lives.

“Personally, I also enjoy the variety and team spirit of the work as well as volunteering with a team of volunteers from all sorts of backgrounds.”

Helen Drake, chief executive of Citizens Advice East Hampshire, said: “Our volunteers make a huge difference to people’s lives.

“They give up their free time to help people in their community, who may be going through problems, to get back on their feet.

“Volunteering is for everybody and it brings its own rewards. It’s a great way to meet people and learn skills.

“If you would like to help people in your area and can spare a few hours, we’d love to hear from you.

“With advice services in Bordon, Petersfield and Alton, and outreaches in Liphook, Liss and Headley Down, an opportunity to help your community is never far away.”

Nationally, 23,000 Citizens’ Advice volunteers help provide support in 2,900 locations across England and Wales – helping 2.7 million people every year.

Thanks to the contribution volunteers play in Citizens’ Advice, two-out-of-every three clients have their problem solved and four-out-of-five say the advice received improved their lives.

•To find out more about volunteering opportunities with Citizens’ Advice East Hampshire email Debbie Essex at [email protected].