A RESIDENT saw their £5,000 debts cleared after getting help from an advisor at Citizens Advice Bracknell and District (CABD).

The financial support, from a volunteer named Brenda, helped the client to save their home.

The client was said to be very grateful.

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Brenda said: “I was so touched to hear the client feedback because you often do not hear about the impact you have as a volunteer.

“As our service is 100% confidential, we do not share client stories, so it was very kind of the client to share their story with us.

“Being a volunteer at Citizens Advice has brought so much friendship and support as well as allowing me to give back to the community.”

Brenda’s work comes as CABD celebrates those who give up their free time to help others as part of Volunteers’ Week.

More than 60 volunteers support the work of 18 staff at CABD, which means around 3,000 residents are supported every year from across Bracknell Forest.

Tina Stevenson, Chief Officer of Citizens Advice Bracknell & District, said: “I am enormously proud of all our staff, volunteers and trustees.

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“We simply could not deliver our service without our volunteers giving their time so generously.

“The extra effort they have put in since lockdown has been overwhelming.

“Brenda’s feedback is just one example of the thanks and praise we receive from clients every week. Serving our community is at the heart of everything we do.

“We deliver a highly professional service, focussing on training skills to deliver our confidential, impartial and free advice.

“I am humbled knowing all the difficulties my colleagues have overcome to keep delivering and even improving our service recently.”

Since lockdown was enforced, CABD has delivered its service from home and volunteers and staff have seen a 20 per cent increase in the number of clients year-on-year.

“I know the social side of volunteering is so important and we all miss working together”, Tina said.

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“We are finding new ways to see each other virtually whilst still being responsible during lockdown.”