What we do
As well as giving advice, we collect evidence of practices and policies that cause the issues that people need advice about. Our extensive knowledge of clients’ problems and circumstances enables us to campaign for change to get a fairer deal for everyone.
We welcome campaigning suggestions and feedback – contact our Research and Campaigns team here
Campaign Updates
Our monthly Campaign Updates highlight some of the issues are clients are facing at the moment, together with details of our current campaigns. You can read the latest Updates here.
Joint Campaign to End Benefit Prejudice in the Private Rental Sector
In partnership with Richmond Council we have launched a campaign to stop discrimination against people who receive benefits in the private rentals sector. Our research has found that many landlords and letting agents refuse to consider tenants as soon as they discover that they receive benefits. This is unlawful, forces many residents to remain in unsuitable and unsafe accommodation, and can lead to homelessness in the borough. Find out more here
Campaign videos
Here’s an example of a campaigning video we made to draw attention to the plight of one of our clients whose landlord was seeking to evict her, despite a government ban on evictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
We used social media to publicise the video, with a link to the national Citizens Advice campaign on improving the lot of renters, which you can see by clicking here.
How we work
We record evidence and keep statistics anonymously so that individual clients are not identified. We use this evidence, together with other research and statistics, to produce reports and to campaign locally and nationally for improvements in services and changes in the law by:
- highlighting issues to local councillors, MPs and other policymakers
- talking to our local council about their services and attending forums and meetings
- discussing problems with organisations and companies to persuade them to improve their services
- sharing evidence and ideas with other organisations
- submitting evidence and recommendations to Citizens Advice centrally, to contribute to national campaigns