Training for frontline organisations to identify vulnerable needs. Press Release
Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell (CAEE) is looking to train frontline workers and volunteers from other charities and organisations to become ‘Advice First Aiders’, giving them the skills to identify and direct those in need to CAEE and other critical advice services.
Advice First Aiders do not give advice themselves, but by asking the right questions they are able to identify relevant information, signpost to appropriate organisations, and know when to refer more urgent or complex advice cases to CAEE qualified advisers and caseworkers.
The programme focuses strongly on identifying marginalised or vulnerable groups who can be less likely to access advice when it’s needed: for example young people or people with learning difficulties, carers, LGBTQIA+, ethnic minorities, displaced people and older or isolated people.
This free training session takes approximately two hours, is in person, and is a lively, interactive experience. Local organisations which have become ‘Advice First Aiders’ include:
- Epsom & Ewell Family Centre
- Fox Grove School, part of The Howard Partnership Trust
- Home Improvement Agency Team – Epsom & Ewell Borough Council
- Sunnybank Trust
- Epsom Hub
- Epsom Baptist Church.
A person asked to give feedback on completing the course said: “I am now more aware and perceptive of people’s needs which may not at first be obvious……the course covered a wide range of possible scenarios troubling most clients”.
Lisa Davis, CEO of CAEE, said: “Advice First Aiders serve as a critical link, connecting people in our community with advice and the essential support services necessary to improve their situations.”
Beyond advice and crisis intervention, Advice First Aid also enables CAEE to identify and take action to address the root causes of problems facing people in the Epsom & Ewell borough through its policy and advocacy work.
Organisations interested in taking up this this opportunity can find out more by please visit our website here.
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 are Citizens Advice, the peaople’s champion. We give people the knowledge and confidence they need to find their way forward – whoever they are, and whatever their problem.
Notes to editors
- 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.
- Visit our website here: www.caee.org.uk/advice-first-aid
- 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.