Common Questions Answered
Common Questions Answered/Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) about Citizen’s Advice Leighton-Linslade
General Questions About Citizen’s Advice Leighton-Linslade
Is Citizen’s Advice Leighton-Linslade a national charity?
Citizen Advice have a large network of local charities – all members of our national body – so we’re always at the heart of our local communities. We’re independent and totally impartial. We rely on the dedication of our volunteers and staff who help us to be there for anyone who needs us.
Every day more people need our help – many in crisis, with nowhere else to turn. Thanks to generous donations we’re able to help even more people get the vital advice and support they need.
Is Citizens Advice Leighton-Linslade part of the Government?
We do receive some funding from Central Bedfordshire Council and Leighton-Linslade Town Council, the same way as other local charities. We work very hard to maintain a “critical friendship” with these bodies. This means that we can escalate problems our individual clients are facing as well as deal with injustices on a bigger level.
How does Citizens Advice Leighton-Linslade know the problems facing our community?
We always remain apolitical which means that we cannot involve ourselves with organisations and people that are aligned with one political party. Rest assured that our work lobbying MPs, Councils and other public bodies may not be always be visible but it is always done in the best interests of our community.
Do Citizens Advice Leighton-Linslade only deal with simple problems?
We help with almost any problem. We can all face problems that seem complicated or intimidating. At Citizens Advice, we believe no one should have to face these problems without good quality, independent advice. We give people the knowledge and the confidence they need to overcome their problems. We help people find their way through complicated processes and difficult situations they may never have faced before. With the right information and support, people can make the best choices for themselves.
Do Citizens Advice Leighton-Linslade only deal with a few people at any one time?
When we say we’re for everyone, we mean it. We try to reach as many people who need our help as possible, and we understand that different people require different kinds of information and support. We never judge anyone who comes to us. We only ask for the information we need, always let you decide what you’re comfortable telling us and explain why we need it.
We help as many people as needed. We are always engaging with other organisations in the area to ensure that we can offer the most efficient service – together we are stronger.
Why can’t you just make changes when a member of the public wants you to?
As a charity we have certain rules we have to adhere to and drifting into activities that your charity is not set up to do is not allowed. Decisions have to be made by the charity trustees. This can happen if you do not focus on your charity’s purposes. For example, where the charity:
- Wants to deliver a new service, but trustees have not checked that this new work fits the charity’s purposes.
- Has applied for a grant, which must be spent on activities that do not match the charity’s purposes.
Using charity funds or resources on other purposes is very serious. Trustees may have to repay the charity from their own money.
We have to take a measured approach to utilise resources the best way we can.
Does Citizens Advice Leighton-Linslade work in the public interest?
We do! Public benefit is what makes charities different from other organisations. It is about providing a clear benefit for a wide enough section of the public when delivering your charity’s purposes.
When making decisions as trustees, we:
- are clear about who should benefit and how
- make sure that any private benefits to individuals or organisations are necessary, incidental and in the interests of the charity
- manage any risk of harm to beneficiaries and the public that might arise from your charity’s work
How do I know that Citizens Advice Leighton-Linslade aren’t recommending a course of action because they get paid to or it’s in their best interest?
People rely on us because we’re independent and totally impartial. We aren’t paid to recommend any course of action, ever. Everything people tell us is confidential, and we’ll never sell anyone’s data. We’re run by a mixture of dedicated staff and highly trained volunteers. And while we’re often funded by local or national government, it doesn’t stop us telling them when we think they’re getting something wrong…
I’ve got several problems I need assistance with, can you help?
Yes! No one else sees so many people with so many kinds of problems, and that gives us a unique insight into the challenges people are facing today. We see how problems can be linked and specialise in working holistically. By helping people with the underlying cause of their problems and making sure they don’t get worse, we save the Local Authority and Council thousands of pounds every year.
Do you need more volunteers?
We have a very efficient bank of volunteers and staff. When we recruit volunteers, there is an onboarding process that includes training. It takes about six months training before a volunteer can start advising clients and we have ongoing training and feedback as well to ensure our clients receive good quality advice. You can find out more information by clicking here.
Can anyone be a trustee?
Our governing document has rules on how our charity must be managed.
Governing documents usually say:
- how trustees must be appointed
- how often trustees must meet
- how many trustees are needed to make a valid decision
A governing document can give you extra powers. For example, powers to invest or borrow money. It might also say if there are things that you cannot do. For example:
- making payments to trustees
- selling the charity’s land
Do Citizens Advice Leighton-Linslade only help people on benefits?
Absolutely not! Every year our national network help more than 2 million people with our independent, impartial and confidential advice service. Our advice is always free for everyone – whoever they are, whatever their problem. Even on your bad days – we understand that when you are stressed and upset it can be difficult to control your emotions.
As the problems people face have changed over time, so has the advice we offer. Benefits, debt and housing are areas we have worked on throughout our 80 year history – and they will always be central to what we do.
Further questions
If you would like to find out more about the services we offer, click here to find out more information.
