Financial Wellbeing Support Service ends, but support still available from Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell
After three successful years, the Financial & Wellbeing Support Service (FWSS) has ended having
assisted 187 clients in Epsom & Ewell. The service is now closed and no longer accepting new
referrals.
In the past three years, the service has supported hundreds of individuals and families across Surrey.
The FWSS was set up to help people manage money worries alongside their mental wellbeing. It
combined advice on benefits, debt and finances — delivered by Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell
(CAEE) and Citizens Advice Surrey Heath — with specialist emotional wellbeing support provided by
Mary Frances Trust (covering Epsom & Ewell) and Catalyst Support (covering Surrey Heath). This
joined-up approach gave people practical help to feel more in control of their lives.
The service was developed in response to an identified local need and is an excellent example of a
partnership working to address both financial and mental wellbeing. CAEE is grateful to the staff
delivering the service, partner organisations and to The National Lottery Community Fund, whose
support made the service possible.
CAEE’s FWSS adviser, Vicki, said this about her time working on the project: “The overall purpose of
FWSS was to help people in need who, for one reason or another, were feeling overwhelmed.
Sometimes, all the client needed me to do was sit and listen; this project allowed me to do that and
it still helped. From the feedback I received, I know, in some instances, this has saved lives.
“My joy in receiving confirmation of a grant, a debt write off or just a little help for our clients always
brightened up my day. My goal in life has always been to make a difference. Working on this project, I certainly had the opportunity to do that.”
While the FWSS has ended, CAEE continues to provide financial advice to all in the borough who are
in need. Mental health and wellbeing support continues to be available through other Mary Frances
Trust services, including Community Connections and Wellbeing Advice and Information. Both
services are available to Surrey residents (aged 16+) and can be accessed via self-referral.
Media enquiries: please contact Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell, email:publicity@caee.org.uk tel:
01372 300778
For information and advice, contact Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell on Freephone 0808 278 7963 or
visit https://www.caee.org.uk
We give people the knowledge and confidence they need to find their way forward –
whoever they are, and whatever their problem.
Notes to editors:
- Citizens Advice is made up of the national charity Citizens Advice; the network of
independent local Citizens Advice charities across England and Wales; the Citizens Advice
consumer service; and the Witness Service. - Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell (CAEE) is a small, local charity offering free advice and
information for all who live, work and study in the borough of Epsom & Ewell. All advice
is free, confidential, impartial and independent. - Each year CAEE helps around 3,600 clients with issues such as benefits, housing, debt,
fuel poverty, family issues and much more. Our outcomes are extremely positive not
only for the clients we serve, but also for the wider community. During 2024/25 we
secured income of nearly £1.2m for our clients. Our added value to society totalled
£1.6m in fiscal benefits by reducing health service demand and maintaining employment
and housing. The wider economic and social benefit of our work during 2024/25 totalled
almost £11.4m. - As a small charity we are responsible for raising our funds. It costs over £100 for each
client that we help. To make a donation please visit: www.caee.org.uk/donate/ –£10 per
month could enable us to help another client this year. - To get advice please use our Freephone Adviceline 0808 278 7963 or visit our website
where you can get advice by email and find details of our drop in service.