Every day, free of charge, our 200 trained volunteers provide confidential, independent and impartial advice on a range of issues including money advice, benefits, immigration, employment rights, housing, consumer issues, family problems, health services and legal rights and responsibilities. Our clients have one common bond – they are citizens of Edinburgh and our aim is that none of them should suffer through ignorance of their rights and obligations as members of our community.
How we do it
Our core business involves running 5 advice centres across Edinburgh. These are open to all members of the public and are located at Gorgie/Dalry, Pilton, Portobello, Leith and Dundas Street. Our projects business has a range of specific project sponsors and partners, such as NHS Lothian and the Scottish Legal Aid Board. Through these projects we provide advice at 15 outreach locations across the capital, in places such as doctors’ surgeries, housing associations and the Sheriff Court.
We provide general advice on any issue brought to us. We also have specialist advisers who provide advice and representation on more complex issues in the fields of debt, consumer and welfare rights, employment, housing, immigration and tribunal work.
Free legal advice is available via our pro-bono legal clinics. These are led by volunteer solicitors at four of our bureaux. The quality of our advice is externally assessed by Citizens Advice Scotland through regular audits. Right now, with the economic recession, we are busier than ever.
Clients
Since 2008, demand for CAE services has increased by c.23%. Some 58% of our clients require specialist advice and we negotiate with third parties on behalf of 38% of clients. In 2010/11 we helped with 25,613 new enquiries.
Money/Debt
In 2010/11, the debt held by the clients of our specialist money advice was £17,536,694. This represents a growth of £1million since 2009/10.
Benefits/Employment
In 2010/11 11,063 benefits and employment issues were addressed. CAE is a lead provider of specialist employment support and advice in the capital – receiving referrals from the City Council Advice Shop, other advice agencies and charities.