Staff, volunteers and clients celebrate 70 years of the Citizens Advice Bureau

IT was set up a day after World War Two broke out, and 70 years on the Citizens Advice Bureau is still offering the same kind of help to residents. It was set up as an emergency service run by volunteers following the outbreak of war. It gave civilians he

IT was set up a day after World War Two broke out, and 70 years on the Citizens Advice Bureau is still offering the same kind of help to residents.

It was set up as an emergency service run by volunteers following the outbreak of war.

It gave civilians help and advice to deal with the impact of war and the chaos of the blitz, but also to help them understand and complete government forms.

And to celebrate the work of the CAB, a birthday party was held at the offices in Church Mews, Wisbech last week.

However while today volunteers work from designated offices, 70 years ago they were run from front rooms and sometimes even cattle trucks.

Today the service is still delivered primarily by volunteers but now they are expertly trained.

Their philosophy today is still the same, helping people understand and complete government forms although issues of the 21st Century are mainly about debt, benefits and employment.

Linda Hutchinson, bureau manager, said: "We offer free confidential, independent and impartial advice to help people resolve their problems."

At the party last Thursday, current and former staff, volunteers and clients attended, and many got into the spirit of the day by dressing up in clothes from the era.

There was also music, a tombola, raffle and two cakes.

Mrs Hutchinson said: "We would like to say a huge thank you to our volunteer advisors and our volunteer trustees for all their hard work."

CAB are always looking for more volunteers and training is offered, they have outreach posts in March, Chatteris and Whittlesey.

To find out more visit www.fenlandcab.org.uk