Andover & District
Citizens Advice Bureau

About Us

History

Andover CAB was opened in 1966 and has occupied various venues throughout the town until moving into its present offices in November 1997.  It has also grown in size during those years and now we have over 50 volunteers helping our service for the community.

Funding

The local authority, Test Valley Borough Council, who is also our landlord, provides the major part of our funding.  However, the Bureau operates entirely independently, answerable to its Trustee Board and to Citizens Advice.  We have to meet the standards set by Citizens Advice to whom we are affiliated. 

Andover CAB is a registered Charity and in 1995 the Bureau became incorporated and is now a limited company.

Staffing

Ninety percent of people working within the CAB Service are volunteers who volunteer as advisers, admin staff, receptionists or Trustees

We have the following full-time and part-time paid staff: Manager, Deputy Manager, Guidance Tutor, Administrator/Money Advice Co-coordinators, and Employment Rights Specialist.

Outreach

We have Outreach surgeries which take our service to rural parts of our catchment area and provide a home visiting service to those unable to access our service at the Bureau through disability or care responsibilities. This was originally funded by National Lotteries Board but now relies on donations and some funding from TVBC.

Outreach currently has a paid Manager who works 14 hours who is responsible for a small group of volunteers.

Advocacy

The Bureau is very active in advocacy, regularly representing clients at Social Security appeal tribunals, at the County Court and at Employment Tribunals.  We also hold advice sessions at the local Magistrates Court .

Our work increases in range and complexity each year.  It requires a high degree of commitment.  However, most advisers gain a great deal of personal satisfaction through their work in the Bureau, a greater awareness of the issues affecting our daily lives and the pleasure of contributing to the Community in a practical and worthwhile way.

Annual Reports

2005/2006

2006/2007

2007/2008

2008/2009