“Helping those most in need is the very spirit of our community work” – Expanded Citizens Advice service sees substantial take-up

Vulnerable residents in Buckingham are already feeling the benefits of extended opening hours at their local Citizens Advice office, thanks to funding from Gawcott Fields Community Solar.

Through a £47,000 grant over two years, Citizens Advice Buckingham has been able to extend its operating hours for those needing help with energy bills.

More than 100 people have received assistance since the extended support was launched. The extended hours project launched in June this year, aiming to make free, impartial advice more accessible to local people, and the demand for assistance has already been demonstrated.

For example, a young single mother facing a £3,000 backdated gas bill received expert help challenging the charges, ultimately reducing her debt by £1,500 thanks to Citizens Advice intervention. An older resident struggling with no income after retirement was supported to claim Pension Credit, securing backdated payments and long-term financial stability, including eligibility for winter fuel assistance.

While fuel poverty is usually seen as a concern for the colder months, many local people are finding rising energy bills increasingly challenging all year round.

Gabby Mallett, Volunteer Director at Gawcott Solar said:

“Having worked in fuel poverty for over a decade it comes as no surprise to me that there is such a need for this service.

“This clearly shows that for many people, concerns about energy bills are a year-round issue. But it is truly moving to see how many people have already been helped through the extended hours.”

Gabby added: “Helping those most in need is the very spirit of our community work.”

As a community owned solar farm, Gawcott Fields reinvest money derived from surplus energy supplied to the National Grid. The funding has enabled Citizens Advice Buckingham to open its doors three days a week (Tuesday to Thursday, 9:30am–4:30pm), offering consistent times for residents to drop in, book appointments, or simply ask for information and guidance.

In just the first three months, 111 residents living near Gawcott Solar have received help with 134 separate advice issues, ranging from benefits and housing to energy bills and budgeting support. Many of these enquiries have been linked to the ongoing cost-of-living pressures.

To deliver this service, two new volunteer administrators have joined the team, ensuring smooth reception operations during the extended hours. Three new volunteer advisers are also completing training and will begin providing one-to-one support later this autumn. Feedback from the community has also been positive, with some commenting on how much easier it has been knowing the operating hours have been extended.

Citizens Advice Buckingham expressed heartfelt thanks to Gawcott Solar CIC for making the project possible.

“This funding has already made a significant difference to the local community by allowing us to open our doors more often and to deliver advice and energy support when residents need it most.”

Gawcott Solar also have a Bee Green grant fund which the team are encouraging local charities or community organisations within 5km of Gawcott to apply for. More information on the grant criteria can be found on the website.