Rutland CAB-History

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RUTLAND CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU

32 YEARS OF SERVICE 1974 – 2007

1940 – 1945

Surely not? Well yes that’s what we thought but some years ago a document was found in one of our filing cabinets showing that a CAB service had been operating in Rutland during the years of the second World War and, surprise! surprise!, it was in the very premises which we still occupy in Oakham High Street. We know the building was in use as the Oakham library and that the organiser was Miss Meade. It seems that under the prevailing wartime conditions that many of the early enquiries were about lost relatives or housing. There must be some of you out there who can remember this very early branch of the CAB service, did you ever make use of it, or were you perhaps an adviser? Do let us know if you can provide any information about those early days of the Rutland CAB.

1974 – 1975

This was the year in which a steering committee was set up, the driving force was the late Mrs Winifred Clarke, resulting in the spending of £943 on building alterations, office furniture and rent and finally the opening of the new Citizens Advice Bureau on its present site on 21st April 1974. Mrs Joy Gregg was appointed organiser and Mrs Clarke became Chair of the first Management Committee. At the first training session no less than seventy would be advisers attended a talk given by a representative from the Law Society and the subject, Legal Aid. By the end of this year the total number of enquiries had reached 1,933. Mrs Gregg reported that she had been invited to address prospective workers in the new Nottingham Bureau on the running of a bureau and how it should be set up.

1976 – 1985

The next ten years were a period of consolidation and growth. Talks and visits were made throughout the county to publicise the work of the Bureau. Mrs Gregg also represented the East Midlands on the National Council. In 1978 the first outreach service was opened in Uppingham, working from the Parish Rooms on Fridays as was an Advice Service to HMP Ashwell. The annual cost of running the Bureau had reached nearly £3,000. During this year there were in all 2,320 enquiries of which the largest category was about Travel and Holidays. Other high enquiry areas included Family, Housing, Consumer, Trade and Business with lower numbers enquiring about Social Security, Health and Employment. In 1985 The number of enquiries during the year exceeded four and a half thousand with those relating to Social Security being the largest category with 28% of the total and in the same year the Bureau successfully lobbied the Department of Social Security resulting in the setting up of the first Social Security Office in Oakham.

The Citizens Advice service helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing information and advice, and by influencing policymakers.

Specialist Services

Aims & Principles

The service aims:

to provide the advice people need for the problems they face

to improve the policies and practices that affect people's lives.

The Citizens Advice service provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyoneon their rights and responsibilities. It values diversity, promotes equality and challenges discrimination.

European Level Reports

External Links

Become a volunteer

Do you have a few hours per week to spare?

Why not become a volunteer for Rutland Citizens Advice Bureau.
See the Volunteering page for more details.

Director: Jane Clayton-Jones. Registered in England and Wales. Registration No. 5287678,

A company limited by guarantee. A Registered Charity No. 1107907

Main Menu	RUTLAND CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU 32 YEARS OF SERVICE 1974 – 2007 1940 – 1945 Surely not? Well yes that’s what we thought but some years ago a document was found in one of our filing cabinets showing that a CAB service had been operating in Rutland during the years of the second World War and, surprise! surprise!, it was in the very premises which we still occupy in Oakham High Street. We know the building was in use as the Oakham library and that the organiser was Miss Meade. It seems that under the prevailing wartime conditions that many of the early enquiries were about lost relatives or housing. There must be some of you out there who can remember this very early branch of the CAB service, did you ever make use of it, or were you perhaps an adviser? Do let us know if you can provide any information about those early days of the Rutland CAB. 1974 – 1975 This was the year in which a steering committee was set up, the driving force was the late Mrs Winifred Clarke, resulting in the spending of £943 on building alterations, office furniture and rent and finally the opening of the new Citizens Advice Bureau on its present site on 21st April 1974. Mrs Joy Gregg was appointed organiser and Mrs Clarke became Chair of the first Management Committee. At the first training session no less than seventy would be advisers attended a talk given by a representative from the Law Society and the subject, Legal Aid. By the end of this year the total number of enquiries had reached 1,933. Mrs Gregg reported that she had been invited to address prospective workers in the new Nottingham Bureau on the running of a bureau and how it should be set up. 1976 – 1985 The next ten years were a period of consolidation and growth. Talks and visits were made throughout the county to publicise the work of the Bureau. Mrs Gregg also represented the East Midlands on the National Council. In 1978 the first outreach service was opened in Uppingham, working from the Parish Rooms on Fridays as was an Advice Service to HMP Ashwell. The annual cost of running the Bureau had reached nearly £3,000. During this year there were in all 2,320 enquiries of which the largest category was about Travel and Holidays. Other high enquiry areas included Family, Housing, Consumer, Trade and Business with lower numbers enquiring about Social Security, Health and Employment. In 1985 The number of enquiries during the year exceeded four and a half thousand with those relating to Social Security being the largest category with 28% of the total and in the same year the Bureau successfully lobbied the Department of Social Security resulting in the setting up of the first Social Security Office in Oakham. Next Page	The CAB Service
Homepage Getting Advice Young Persons Volunteering Reports Equality/Diversity History Consumer Support Network		The Citizens Advice service helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing information and advice, and by influencing policymakers.
Specialist Services		Aims & Principles
How to access Money Advice Welfare Rights Housing Employment Parent Partnership		The service aims: to provide the advice people need for the problems they face to improve the policies and practices that affect people's lives. The Citizens Advice service provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyoneon their rights and responsibilities. It values diversity, promotes equality and challenges discrimination.
European Level Reports
External Links		Become a volunteer
AdviceGuide Citizens Advice Rutland Online Leicestershire Infolinx		Do you have a few hours per week to spare? Why not become a volunteer for Rutland Citizens Advice Bureau. See the Volunteering page for more details.
	Director: Jane Clayton-Jones. Registered in England and Wales. Registration No. 5287678, A company limited by guarantee. A Registered Charity No. 1107907