Citizens Advice Epping Forest receives National Lottery grant as demand for help continues to rise

Citizens Advice Epping Forest District has received funding from the National Lottery’s Awards for All programme to help support its volunteer service, at a time when demand for advice across the district continues to increase and financial pressures on the charity remain.

The grant, awarded in September 2025, will support the recruitment of volunteers to help the charity respond to year-on-year growth in demand linked to the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Citizens Advice Epping Forest relies on volunteers to deliver its frontline services. Increasing demand, combined with rising costs, has made it more difficult to maintain capacity without additional support. Last year, the charity supported more than 2,700 local people to find a way forward with their issues.

The Awards for All grant will be used to recruit and train Advice Assistants, who act as the first point of contact for clients. The role includes triage, signposting and initial support, helping to ensure people can access advice more quickly. Volunteers who show commitment and aptitude will be able to progress to general adviser training after six months.

Volunteers receive training and ongoing support, gain skills and experience, and benefit from flexible roles that make it possible to volunteer alongside caring responsibilities, health conditions or a return to work.

Jo O’Boyle, Chief Executive at Citizens Advice Epping Forest District, said:

“We’re grateful for this funding, which will help us recruit more volunteers at a time when demand for advice continues to rise. However, pressures linked to the cost of living crisis mean additional funding is still needed so we can continue to deliver our services to people across the district.”

Anyone interested in volunteering, or supporting the charity’s work, can email hello@citizensadviceefd.org.uk or visit the website: Citizens Advice Epping Forest 

• Citizens Advice Epping Forest District (CAEFD) is an independent charity (charity number 1118465) and a member of the national Citizens Advice network.
• The charity provides free, impartial and confidential advice to people who live or work in the Epping Forest District.
• The main issues supported include benefits, debt and housing.
• In 2025–26, CAEFD supported more than 2,700 people, with demand increasing year on year.
• The service is accredited under the Advice Quality Standard (AQS) and registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
• Awards for All is a National Lottery funding programme that provides small grants for specific community projects.