Last week I spent a day seeing what goes on inside the local Citizens Advice office. Sitting with Lynn and Vincent I saw a sample of the problems that our residents face on a daily basis, and I was very thankful that Citizens Advice, with its team of highly trained volunteers boosting their minimal staff, were there to help.

Citizens Advice’s mission is to provide free, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities.

They aim to help people find a way forward, whatever the problems they face.

My eyes were opened by some of the problems that Citizens Advice helped with – and all in total confidence so I can’t say anything about the details of the day.

I was there because since May I have been part of the executive at Teignbridge Council, and Teignbridge supports the Citizens Advice with funding.

My role is all about communities, and I get the job of making sure that Teignbridge is supporting a range of agencies – including Citizens Advice – as well as making sure that the agencies are spending the funds wisely – and Citizens Advice certainly are doing that!

Read the full story in this week’s paper.