At Citizens Advice Reigate & Banstead our trained volunteer advisers offer free advice to anyone who needs it. We measure the value in the relief of so many clients who need somewhere to turn.
But value is also counted in another currency – social benefit.
Whenever Citizens Advice helps someone keep their home, avoid a family break-up, or find a way out of debt, everyone is better off.
We all gain because the cost no longer falls on stretched public services. The community is stronger when even one individual or family escapes difficulty or dependence.
Our national network measured the impact of Citizens Advice services to the country in 2014-15.
This careful analysis is important. It shows the public and politicians why the core funding that makes our work possible should continue.
Last month, however, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations and Lloyds Bank reported a steep fall in funding of small and medium-sized charities – see chart.