Making our voices heard: looking back on a momentous year
As the year draws to a close, we reflect on the impact we have achieved on behalf of clients. 2025 has been a momentous year for Research and Campaigns.
News & Blog Posts
Neurodivergent people need debt support that meets their individual situation
Marian Anghileri has been reading a new report from our friends at StepChange debt charity. Their research reminds us that empathy and support tailored to the individual’s situation and capability are critical in helping neurodivergent people.
Marian is a specialist debt and money adviser at Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell. (3 minutes)
Autumn Budget: welcome changes to child benefit and energy bills
Now at last we know. For months we have been wondering what would or wouldn’t find its way into the chancellor’s Autumn Budget. Lisa Davis shares first thoughts on implications of the government’s latest finance statement for local CAEE clients.
Lisa is Chief Executive at Citizens Advice Epsom and Ewell (3 minutes)
Local government reform a ‘useful incentive to review our work’
So, we finally have the government’s decision about new Unitary Authorities (UAs) for Surrey. Yvette Ball on changes with important implications for CAEE stakeholders and communities across the county.
Yvette is Chair of the Trustees Board at Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell. (2 minutes)
Marie moved from school head to be a Citizens Advice outreach adviser
From school head to outreach post – my first few weeks.
Marie provides a CAEE outreach service at the Advice Café at St Barnabas Church in Epsom every Friday morning and all day on the second Friday every month. (3 min)
How the humanity of a Citizens Advice colleague ‘deeply impressed’ one of our trustees
Simon Culhane was ‘deeply impressed’ on hearing CAEE Assessor win the trust and confidence of a particularly vulnerable client. Helping such unhappy people is the true value of Citizens Advice in our community.
Simon Culhane is a trustee at Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell (2 minutes)
Trustees are busy steering Citizens Advice on road to a new future
There’s a lot happening right now in the world of Local Citizens Advice with both fresh and ever-present challenges,. Yvette Ball reports a busy meeting as the team plots the route to a secure new future.
Yvette Ball is Chair of the Trustees Board at Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell. (2 minutes)
Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell reports on busy year supporting the local community. Press Release.
As Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell (CAEE) published its Annual Report 2024/25 following its AGM this week, the Board of Trustees looked back on a busy year with increased funding allowing CAEE to help more people in the community. In total, CAEE helped 3,619 people in the Epsom & Ewell borough, addressing 10,625 issues.
New school year, but the fight for fairer housing goes on
Welcome back as the new school year begins. Throughout the summer, our focus on housing has revealed a system failing local people on multiple fronts.
Help for families on low income from Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell. Press release.
Are you struggling to buy school uniforms for your children? Has the car you need to get to work broken down? If you live in the borough of Epsom & Ewell contact Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell (CAEE) who can help.
Research and campaigns: the housing crisis doesn’t take a holiday
As the summer holidays continue, our focus on key issues affecting our community has not taken a break. The right to a safe, secure and affordable home remains our top priority. (3 minutes)
Victoria Wan is a Research & Campaigns Volunteer at Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell.
Renters in Epsom and Ewell are priced out
Priced out. It's now harder and harder to find an affordable private rental in our community.
Tackling mould in social homes
Tenants can pay the real cost of inaction in their health and finances.
Soaring water bills – social tariffs can ease the burden
Soaring water bills are now among the biggest headaches for individuals and families living on low incomes.
A good day at the office for Elizabeth? Helping a range of people in difficulty.
A good day at the office for CAEE volunteers is busy but full of variety and always worthwhile.
Rewarding experience – for Pippa volunteering at Citizens Advice is interesting and rewarding
Pippa: My rewarding experience: working with inspiring people, helping with a diverse array of issues and queries.
Standing up for others: Citizens Advice fitted Jane’s passion for fairness and equality
Standing up for others: Jane’s studies reinforced her desire to work in a field that supports people.
Making an impact – why Barnaby became a trustee volunteer at Citizens Advice
Barnaby's decision to join CAEE as a volunteer trustee came from his years of experience in the charity sector.
Now a CAEE volunteer after a career in finance, Sue really knows life at both ends
Sue: 'Having worked with multi-national companies and wealthy clients volunteering at CAEE has been eye-opening.'
Something clicked – Vicki’s way into volunteering at Citizens Advice
‘Something clicked' when Vicki saw that advisers need many skills she had used in her career as an HR specialist.
Volunteers’ Week 2025 – could you join our amazing team?
Volunteers’ Week 2025 is a UK celebration of volunteering and chance to thank our local volunteers for their massive contribution.
Better social tariffs – helping families escape the difficulties of life on a low income
How better social tariffs across essential services could significantly reduce poverty.
Access to justice: People in legal difficulty are not getting the help they need.
In a new blog our Chief Executive reports a call by the Legal Services Consumer Panel for better access to justice.
The Priority Services Register – powering up support for people in need
Navigating the energy landscape can be challenging.. The Priority Services Register is a vital support tool..
Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell takes energy advice into the community. Press release.
CAEE is reaching out to the community to help residents manage energy efficiently in the home.
Energy shock: when your bill is a nasty surprise and may be months or years old!
An unexpectedly high bill can be a big energy shock. But what if it’s months or years out of date and might even be someone else’s responsibility?
Winter energy bills are STILL causing a chill: time to stay warm and in control.
More households struggle with higher winter-to-spring energy bills.
Post #2 in our Navigating Energy Challenges series
In a confusing world our research and campaigns help build trust
In a confusing world it’s no surprise if problems trip up families and spoil lives.
By CAEE Research and Campaigns Team. (3 minutes)
Beware ‘the silent killer’. Why we’re warning about carbon monoxide safety.
Carbon monoxide, is a cause of growing concern among fire safety experts.
Navigating Energy Challenges – our new client and stakeholder information project
Navigating Energy Challenges, launched today, will address the topics that press most heavily on clients. To improve understanding of a core living standards issue our new public information series aims to inform both clients and decision-makers.
By Victoria Wan, Research & Campaigns volunteer at Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell. (3 minutes)
Student volunteers at Citizens Advice win 3 times with new skills, a stronger CV and great work experience.
For Student Volunteering Week we asked two student volunteers why they chose Citizens Advice.
Transition to eVisas – identifying and solving problems in a new modern system
Transition to eVisas - a positive change in immigration documentation as we enter 2025.
Policy reforms: a year of highlighting improvements to clients’ lives
A momentous year spent highlighting necessary improvements to clients' lives.
Helen Maguire MP on working with Citizens Advice to help our communities thrive
Along with CA Mole Valley colleagues, we were pleased to meet Helen Maguire MP, our new representative at Westminster. It was a great opportunity to talk about how we can work together for the benefit of local people.
Lisa Davis is CEO at Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell (2 minutes)
Poor communication: how public services fall short with older citizens
Poor communication in public services leaves many older clients facing confusion and financial distress.
Household support funds for people on low incomes from Citizens Advice Epsom and Ewell. Press Release.
Those eligible for support will be on benefits, live in a low-income household or need crisis support.
Barriers to benefits: the need for accessible application processes
Barriers to benefits. At Citizens Advice Epsom and Ewell, we see vulnerable clients every day facing significant obstacles when applying for the support they really need.
It’s Trustees’ Week, but what do trustees actually do?
Most people get what CAEE volunteer advisers do but what about our volunteer trustees?
Homelessness in Epsom and Ewell: why housing policy needs urgent reform
E&E has one of the highest proportions of homeless families in England. Housing policy needs urgent reform.
Two cheers for mixed bag budget (with big commitment to public services)
The Budget. Two cheers for people under pressure: household support, more help with debt repayment.
The Budget. Issues could derail plans but experts downbeat about new help.
'Experts downbeat' wasn't what we were hoping for the least well-off.
Supporting vulnerable residents – Household Support Fund in Epsom and Ewell
Colleagues Anna and Victoria update stakeholders on value of the local Household Support Fund.
Project Wenceslas: Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell continues to work with Epsom and Ewell Rotaries for those in need this winter. Press Release.
Changes to Winter Fuel Payments mean many people are worrying about heating their homes.
This winter will you help local families with rising energy costs? Project Wenceslas.
Like good King Wenceslas will you help fuel-poor families this winter?
Autumn fruitfulness for policy research but will clients be smiling?
Autumn: fruitfulness for policy research. Not so mellow for clients. A campaigns update.
The true spirit of the community and why we campaign for change.
At CAEE we try to represent the spirit of the community in our advice *and* our campaigns for necessary change.
Pension Credit – the way to get extra help
The rules for Winter Fuel Payments have changed. You may need to claim Pension Credit to qualify.
Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell celebrates 85 years in the community by your side
The community service at the heart of Epsom & Ewell celebrates 85 years supporting local people. Press release.
New chapters: the best advice for young people
A campaign promoting trusted online help for young people facing new rights and responsibilities.
Private renters at sharp end of the living standards crisis
Private renters’ costs are going ‘Through the Roof’. And it's not just the rent.
Young people and renting in 2024. CAEE Blog
It’s no secret that there’s a continuing housing crisis in the UK. And anyone who hasn’t noticed a shortage of decent accommodation affecting young people hasn’t been paying attention.
Ollie Smith is a communications and research volunteer at Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell. (4 minutes)
Leaning local – research & campaigns keeps focus on local needs
A new local focus on issues affecting clients and citizens now.
Persistent cash use suggests many still missing out on digital innovation
Persistent cash use in our digital world sends a message: many are still missing out on digital innovation.
Immediate help for poorest…economics…and a reminder.
Data Insights July. Our public affairs colleagues produced strong evidence for providing immediate help.
National Citizens Advice data on living standards: Labour’s First Hundred Days
Citizens Advice data on living standards has become central to the public debate in recent months.
Household Support Fund – what you need to know. CAEE Blog.
Since June our Household Support Fund has helped 90 local families. FAQs.
School uniforms – important and expensive. CAEE Blog.
School uniforms. In her new blog Anna Tickle writes about an important cost approaching with the new school year.
It’s nearly over but are families’ ‘heat or eat’ choices?
Families across the country 'living on empty’ has not been an election issue.
Election campaign silence is broken but not in the best way
Finally, there's more debate about issues impacting many people we help. Not, unfortunately, from politicians.
Guest Blog. Rob Geleit celebrates a successful charity partnership
Rob Geleit reflects on charity work he and his colleagues undertook during his year as Mayor. Guest Blog. Councillor Rob Geleit represents Court Ward on Epsom & Ewell Borough Council and was Mayor in 2023-24. (3-minute read)