As Chair of Citizens Advice Bournemouth Matthew Moore, Senior Partner at Gales Solicitors in Bournemouth, has overseen the successful merger of Citizens Advice Bournemouth with Citizens Advice Christchurch and Citizens Advice Poole, formerly 3 separate organisations.
Matthew advised, “This has meant a considerable amount of time, effort and commitment over the past 2.5 years. However, as a result of the successful merger the Citizens Advice has now been able to expand its services across the conurbation.
“The merger was completed ahead of the Councils’ merger as it was necessary to establish one organisation, enabling the organisation to deliver a seamless service. This has allowed us to develop a wider range of projects and services, with significantly more funding opportunities available as a result of being a larger organisation. We can therefore support an increased spread of local residents. About 5 years ago Bournemouth Citizens Advice was almost 80 % dependent on Bournemouth Council funding. As a result of the positive changes that we have made over the last few years, this statistic has reduced to 30% as the overall funding from all sources has increased.”
Continuing Matthew advised, “Turnover for the organisation is expected to exceed £1m in the next financial year. Looking forward to the future, I am proud to have paid a part in the growth and progression of the organisation.”
About Citizens Advice Bournemouth Christchurch & Poole
Citizens Advice Bournemouth Christchurch & Poole is an independent charity which provides information, education and advice services supporting people resolve their issues and problems. Citizens Advice Bournemouth Christchurch & Poole is part of a national network of over 300 individual charities who deliver advice across England & Wales overseen by a national framework provided by Citizens Advice.
Citizens Advice Bournemouth Christchurch & Poole is one of the busiest advice agencies in Dorset, delivering services from 4 locations: in Bournemouth we are based in the West Wing of the Town Hall, where we deliver a large amount of our face to face services and in Bournemouth Library from where we deliver our AdviceLine. There are bases in Christchurch Library and Beech House, Poole
All of our core services are delivered from these sites in addition we have 24 outreach services per week across the conurbation locations of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole enabling us to deliver a within local areas.
Additional specific projects include – Pensionwise. Hate Crimes. Financial Well Being. Macmillan. St Annes. West Howe Schools. Universal Claim Support. Water Guru. Macmillan Local (Christchurch)
www.citizensadvicebcp.org.uk/about-us/
About Gales Solicitors
Gales Solicitors was established in 1948 by John Gale and has been providing legal advice to the people of Bournemouth and the surrounding areas for over 70 years.
Now located on Winton High Street and in Tuckton, Gales Solicitors continue to deliver a professional service from a local base. Offering legal services to both individuals and business clients. The company prides itself on offering expert advice with a friendly face.