Gathering Evidence
Citizens Advice Hart sees a wide range of clients presenting with varied issues. These issues allow us to analyse wider social and economic trends in our community and nationally. We use our clients’ experiences, stories and evidence to research and campaign for positive change both locally and nationally.
Our advisers and assessors have a unique insight into the problems faced daily by the people in Hart District. As well as advising clients on individual issues, we also collect evidence of policies that we think are unfair and report these to our national campaigns team, who collate this evidence and use it to influence decision-makers and change unfair practices.
No other agency sees the range of issues that we do – this means that Citizens Advice is in a solid position to influence decisions taken by local and national organisations by working closely with government departments and local authorities. We can spot trends locally and provide evidence to national campaigns to bring about policy change.
Recent successes in campaigning include suspending the ability of Energy companies to enforce Pre-Payment meters on vulnerable customers.
Citizens Advice Hart sets out new ideas to improve policy and service delivery for everyone using evidence from local cases. We do this as part of our commitment to campaigning for social justice for all.
“As a local Citizens Advice, we are uniquely positioned to see where national and local policies and practices are failing and impacting the local community. It is our responsibility and privilege to challenge unfairness and speak up for our clients and communities.”
Samantha Mabbott, Chief Officer, Citizens Advice Hart
Campaigning for change
It is recognised that the best way to tackle any problem is to treat the cause, not just the symptoms – this is what social policy aims to do. We cannot see everyone who needs help individually and many people do not access our services for various reasons. However, we can – and do – help people beyond our core service users through our social policy work by bringing about changes that reduce unfairness.
Hart Demographics
Citizens Advice Hart covers a largely rural district with an estimated 102,695 residents in 2022, living in 41,905 households.
The cost of housing in Hart remains high both in the owner-occupied sector and the rental market. This causes many difficulties in securing accommodation in the area.
The main issues Citizens Advice Hart sees from clients are:
- Benefits
- Employment
- Housing
- Debt
National Campaigning
Each local Citizens Advice office sends information about the problems brought to them (but not about their clients) to National Citizens Advice. The evidence gathered is collated to help campaign officers identify national trends. Citizens Advice can then present evidence to policymakers by writing reports and submissions and participating in consultations to improve policies.
You can find more information on our national campaigning can be found here.
Would you like to be involved in our Research & Campaigning work?
We would love to hear from you. By helping us, you really can make a difference to the lives of people in your community.