Glossop Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) recently welcomed local MP Robert Largan, who dropped into the advice centre in Bradbury House on Market Street to meet the team and thank them for all their hard work supporting people through the pandemic.
Robert and the CAB staff discussed how they can continue working together to support residents. The CAB often refer cases to Robert when an MP’s intervention can lead to a positive outcome. Similarly, Robert’s office often refers cases to the CAB when an individual can benefit from their specialist advice services.
Glossop CAB has operated for over a year under lockdown restrictions, which meant moving their entire operation to a telephone-based model, and reluctantly closing all face-to-face services with staff working from home.
Despite these challenges, the CAB remained open every day throughout the pandemic.
As a result, they have helped over 2,000 people with over 19,000 issues in the High Peak alone. Many clients were first time users navigating the Government’s job support schemes, Universal Credit, and needing advice on managing their bills.
Since being elected in December 2019, facing a similar demand and challenges, Robert and his office have taken up over 26,000 individual cases on behalf of local people, replying to over 39,000 emails, many phone calls and letters.
The CAB provides weekday appointments and drop-in sessions at their High Peak advice centres in Glossop, Buxton and New Mills. Alternatively, they can be contacted by telephone on 0808 278 7954.
The Government made a £750 million package of funding available to help charities like Citizens Advice weather the storm brought on by the coronavirus outbreak. This has helped over 13,000 organisations continue to support those most affected by the pandemic.
Robert Largan, MP for High Peak, commented:
“It was great to visit Glossop Citizens Advice Bureau, to meet the team, and to thank them for their hard work supporting thousands of residents throughout the pandemic.
“It was an informative discussion about the range of challenges we have faced over the last 18 months, and how we can continue to work together to support residents.”
Melanie Mallinson, Senior Operations Manager at Derbyshire CAB, commented:
“Thank you to Robert for taking the time to come and visit us. It was great to meet him and chat about the issues residents are facing.
“We thank his office for their continued support.”
