This year Citizens Advice Reigate & Banstead (CARBS) is celebrating 80 years of helping people in Reigate. Since 1939 we’ve been expanding our service and extending our range to more local communities.
We now run drop-in advice sessions in Tadworth, Banstead, Merstham, Horley and Redhill. We also give advice on the phone, by email and webchat, and online.
Our advice is independent, impartial and free to anyone who asks.
On a first visit or contact, you discuss the problem with our adviser who makes an initial assessment. Then you decide on a way forward together; or the adviser will make an appointment to discuss the problem in more detail.
Advisers have access to the latest information. They research the options for your individual situation. They won’t tell you what to do, but help you make the best decision for you. And they will always be pleased to see you again to review how things are going.
However hard the problem there’s ALWAYS a way forward.
A bit like GPs in health services, our advisers are trained to help with virtually any problem. Some common problems are:
A local charity
CARBS is a truly local charity. We’re a member of national Citizens Advice but all our funding is local. We’re grateful to Reigate & Banstead Borough Council for their support but have to raise extra funds to continue our free service.
Our 60 trained advisers are all local volunteers. They make the service possible by giving their time and energy to help their neighbours. If you or someone you know would like to train as a volunteer adviser we would love to hear from you – contact info@www.carbs.org.uk
For details about our other centres, phone and online services, go to www.carbs.org.uk/get-advice/ You can also hear about our local activity and social policy work on Twitter @ReigateandBCAB.