Society's partnership with Citizens Advice expanded nationally

An award-winning partnership between Citizens Advice and Yorkshire Building Society will now provide more support to more people after expanding nationally to over 40 locations.

The partnership sees Citizens Advice advisers hold free, impartial and confidential appointments in private meeting rooms at selected high street branches of the Society.

It initially started with just six Yorkshire Building Society branches in 2021, but due to increased demand the amount of Yorkshire locations offering the service trebled in the first 18 months. Now, this latest expansion nationally will see 42 branches offer Citizen s Advice advisers across Scotland, Yorkshire and the North West, East Anglia and the South West of the country. Glasgow, Newcastle, Norwich and Plymouth are among the new locations.

The service, which is available to all members of the public, not just the Society’s customers, supports people with a range of issues, and to date has unlocked more than £1 million worth of estimated additional income for those it has helped.

Susan Allen, c hief e xecutive of Yorkshire Building Society, said: “As a mutual organisation we are committed to providing real help to people in our communities, and this is just one of the ways we do this. In the current climate, this partnership is incredibly relevant - offering an immediate lifeline to people who need it, in an accessible location.

“We know from the current locations just how valuable this service continues to be and I have no doubt extending the use of our retail space to host Citizen Advice advisers nationally will ensure more people across the country benefit from the support, where and when they need it.”

Dame Clare Moriarty, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: “We're thrilled to be extending our partnership with Yorkshire Building Society. The number of people helped by Citizens Advice hit a record high during the first four months of 2023, and this partnership will help us to reach even more people who need support during these particularly challenging times.”