THE Forest’s Citizens’ Advice Bureau has merged with Gloucester and District in a bid to “offer improved services to a wider range of local residents.”

The move, which comes in the CAB’s 80th anniversary year, means that local services will now will be provided as part of North and West Gloucestershire CAB (NWGCAB).

The new enlarged bureaux manned by 20 paid staff and 130 volunteers will include offices and/or out reaches at Cinderford, Coleford, Lydney, Newent and St Briavels.

NWGCAB spokesman Norman Gardner said: “Evidence indicates that demand is on the increase for quality advice and support in Gloucestershire.

“With that in mind, two of our local Citizens Advice Bureaux have elected to merge in order to offer improved services to a wider range of local residents. The merger between Gloucester and District and the Forest of Dean CAB has recently taken effect.

“The merged bureaux have between them in the last year advised more than 11,000 local residents about more than 27,000 issues.

“These include debt, discrimination, housing, family breakdown, welfare benefits, employment and consumer issues. Outcomes include the avoidance of homelessness, poverty reduction, reducing stress and anxiety and giving many people a new start.

“As well as offering an improved range of specialist advisers, the enlarged bureau will be able to reduce costs through shared resources.

“Also more critically, the merged bureau will be better placed to raise funds. Many Gloucestershire residents are unaware that the bureau is a local charity and that it is increasingly dependent on raising its own funds in order to provide the quality service associated with the Citizens’ Advice ethos.

“This year, 2019, marks the 80th anniversary of Citizens’ Advice, and there will be a particular emphasis over the next year on raising the profile of the service in the Gloucestershire area as well as launching a series of new fundraising events and campaigns.”

For more information on the work of the bureau, or how to volunteer see www.gloscab.org.uk