WIREDGOV

Charity launches new microsite aimed specifically at young people

Last year (Apr 2009 - Mar 2010) young people under the age of 25 sought help from Citizens Advice on nearly three quarters of a million problems (729,825). This is an increase of 21 per cent compared to the year before.

Eighty per cent of their problems related to just four issues: debt, benefits, housing and employment. Debt problems made up a third of all enquiries from under 25s in 2009/10, with benefits problems closely behind, making up a quarter. Employment accounted for 12 per cent of the issues young people needed help on and housing issues made up 10 per cent.

The biggest single issue that under 25s sought advice on was personal loans and one of the biggest increases was in advice sought on Jobseekers Allowance (JSA), up 40 per cent compared to 2008/09. The numbers of young people having problems with housing benefit and private rented property were also very high.

Citizens Advice is today launching a microsite www.advice4me.org.uk aimed specifically at young people in order to ensure that they can access advice and information quickly and easily about the problems that concern them the most. The site pulls together information on debt, benefits, employment and housing from the charity’s existing self-help website* and puts it in one easy to use place.

Stacey, 23, had an employment problem and sought help from the CABIN – a special service for under 25s run by Stockton CAB. She says:

"I was unemployed and took on a short two week job to get some cash. A month after I had finished the job I’d still not been paid. I wanted to find out my rights and chase up the money so went to the CABIN for help. They helped me write a letter to the employer, but three months later I’d still not had a reply. In the end we made a claim to take it to an Employment Tribunal. Only then did I finally hear from them and get my money.

"I was really pleased with the free and confidential help I got from Citizens Advice and now I actually have a work placement at the CABIN through the future jobs fund. I’ve been trained in how to give advice and it’s really boosted my confidence. When my placement finishes I’m hoping to start my own business. Now if any of my friends have a problem I always tell them to go to straight to Citizens Advice. Having a website specifically for young people is brilliant as under 25s have different problems to other people and like to access information quickly."

The top 10 single issues that under 25s came to bureaux about in 2009/10 are:

Citizens Advice Chief Executive Gillian Guy said:

"It can be scary and daunting to seek advice if you have a problem - but more often than not, the sooner you tackle it, the easier it is to put right. Citizens Advice is the UK’s biggest advice charity and helps people of any age, with any problem. Under 25s often have specific issues, so we’ve now pulled together lots of information you might find useful in one place at: ww.advice4me.org.uk. As well as via a computer, the site is compatible to view on mobile phones so you can get advice ‘on the go’. Our advice is free and confidential and as well as our new online resource, we have friendly advisors at over 390 bureaux across England and Wales."

* www.adviceguide.org.uk

Notes to editors:

1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more information in England and Wales see www.citizensadvice.org.uk
2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality. For online advice and information see www.adviceguide.org.uk
3. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.1 million clients on 7.1 million problems from April 2009 to March 2010, an 18% increase on the previous year. For full 2009/2010 service statistics see: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/press_20100517
4. Out of 22 national charities, the Citizens Advice service is ranked by the general public as being the most helpful, approachable, professional, informative, effective / cost effective, reputable and accountable. (nfpSynergy’s Brand Attributes survey, May 2010).
5. Most Citizens Advice service staff are trained volunteers, working at around 3,300 service outlets across England and Wales.
6. Volunteer hotline 08451 264264 (local rate)