Campaigns
As a bureau we support national campaigns delivered by Citizens Advice and plan, organise and deliver local campaigns on issues we believe have a particular importance for the residents of Cumbria and Allerdale
As a volunteer at Citizens Advice Allerdale you don’t need any specific qualifications or experience. We will train you in the areas you would like to work in. Most roles require some basic IT skills but as a volunteer you’ll receive in house training specific to your role. You will also be supported from our supervisors during your time with us and we make sure there are opportunities for ongoing learning and development, so you get the most out of your time.
Want to find out More?
If you are interested in what happens nationally then please visit the national Citizens Advice website, if you would like to join our Campaign & Research team then please visit our Volunteering page
Successful campaigns
New Universal Credit Report
By 2022, 7 million families in the UK will receive Universal Credit, which is replacing 6 existing means-tested benefits. We welcome efforts to simplify our benefits system. But Universal Credit is already failing thousands of people.
Every day at Citizens Advice we see people being pushed into desperate circumstances by problems with the new system. Despite this, a dramatic increase in the number of people affected is planned for October.
The government’s ‘test and learn’ approach can’t end up being an experiment with people’s lives. When they see problems with the new system, they need to stop and fix them.
That’s why we’re calling on the government to pause the Universal Credit roll-out and fix the problems with both design and delivery.
New Universal Credit Report
Since the Department of Work and Pensions began rolling out full service Universal Credit in May 2016, we’ve worked with them to share our evidence of the problems people face when they make a claim.
The government has plenty on its plate right now. But Universal Credit will affect so many people that it needs to be fixed urgently. Our new report ‘Delivering on Universal Credit’ sets out what we’ve learned, and what needs to be done.
It’s not too late. But they must act now. The financial security of 7 million families depends on it.
You can read our local campaign and research groups Universal Credit Report here Universal Credit Report.
3 significant problems need fixing right now
We already see people who are struggling to make ends meet, falling into serious debt and on the verge of eviction because of problems with Universal Credit.
- People are waiting up to 12 weeks for their first payment without any income.
- Universal Credit is too complicated and people are struggling to use it.
- People aren’t getting help when the system fails them.
Across the country we see the impact on people’s lives.
Clare in Yorkshire had to wait 7 weeks for her claim to be processed. She told our adviser who was helping her with the claim, “I just don’t understand how they expect you to live”. More than 1 in 3 people we’ve helped on Universal Credit wait more than 6 weeks to receive any income. And 11% are waiting over 10 weeks.
Paul in the West Midlands was one of the 30% of people we’ve helped who’ve had to make 10 or more calls to the Universal Credit helpline to sort out their claim. He ended up buying a cheap contract phone just so that he could get inclusive minutes for calling the helpline.
And Carly in Wiltshire, a lone parent, came to us afraid of losing her home, as she and her son struggled to cope for almost 2 months without any income. Over half of the people we’ve helped with Universal Credit borrowed money while waiting for their first payment.
