Bexley has recognised Bexley Citizens Advice Bureau’s vital work by awarding it a grant of £210,000 a year for the next five years.

The decision ensures that the CAB will continue to provide advice and guidance to help around 10,000 people in Bexley every year navigate life’s challenges.

The Council has increased the grant so that the CAB can continue to provide advice from Lakeside Health Centre in Thamesmead, in partnership with Peabody.

Councillor David Leaf, Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services said: "The CAB plays an important role in helping our residents and supporting us to deliver on our priorities for the borough, particularly to reduce homelessness.

“Giving them a grant over five years provides them with more certainty and will make it easier for them to plan ahead.”

The Council’s decision coincides with Bexley CAB’s 80th anniversary celebrations. Established in 1939, at the outbreak of World War 2, Bexley CAB Bexley has provided advice and support for the past 80 years that has:

Prevented homelessness

Reduced debt

Improved mental health and wellbeing

Kept people in employment or helped them back to work

Helped people to manage life’s challenges and gain resilience and self-sufficiency

It gives the following benefits to the Council, NHS and government:

Prevented housing evictions

Reduced demand for GP services

Kept people in employment or helped them back to work

Increased investment from external sources of funding

Today Bexley Citizens Advice Bureau is located in Erith, with an outreach service in the libraries in Bexleyheath and Sidcup.

The Bureau employs over 15 people and has more than 50 unpaid volunteers.

Roland Haigh, CEO of Bexley CAB said: “The Bureau works at full capacity all the time, there is no shortage of people needing our help. This is where our volunteers do such a wonderful job contributing 250 hours per week.

"They are a priceless resource, giving up their precious time in the service of others. I would really like to thank the London Borough of Bexley for their belief in the good we do for the people of Bexley demonstrated through this five-year funding commitment”.

Bexley CAB can offer advice face-to-face, by email or by phone. Trusted information can also be accessed at any time from the CAB’s self-help website.