Voices of Experience: Client Success Stories
At Citizens Advice SORT Group Ltd, we believe in empowering people in Stockport, Oldham, Rochdale, and Trafford to meet the challenges of everyday life. Every day, our staff and volunteers help individuals and families deal with challenging issues-from financial hardship and housing problems to employment issues or simply needing someone to talk to. On this page, you will read some real-life experiences from our clients, showing how our free, confidential, and independent advice has changed things for them. Their stories reveal the positive difference we make and the value of community support.
A Safety Net When Money Was Tight
“I unexpectedly lost my job last year and was worried about how I was going to pay the bills or keep a roof over my children’s heads. When I called Citizens Advice SORT Group, they were very understanding and gave me practical advice. They talked me through my entitlement, helped me to apply for Universal Credit and even alerted me to local grant money in relation to energy bills. Without their assistance, I may well have lost my home and found it difficult to get back on my feet. I genuinely don’t know what I would have done without their help.” Sarah, Oldham
Support With Housing Problems
“When my landlord gave me notice unexpectedly, I was so confused. I don’t speak English as a first language, so I didn’t understand the legal letters I kept getting. Citizens Advice SORT Group arranged to meet me face to face and provided a Chinese interpreter. They told me about my rights, dealt with my landlord for me, and got me placed in secure accommodation. Even though what they did was very professional, they were also very kind. I felt like I mattered and felt safe when everything surrounding me felt really stressful.”
Help For Deaf Clients-Accessible and Empathetic
“Being Deaf makes it impossible to find the right sort of advice. The Citizens Advice SORT Group provided an interpreter for me in British Sign Language, gave advice on WhatsApp – that made everything accessible. The group helped me untangle a really complicated benefits issue, and at last I felt like I had someone on my side who knew what they were doing. Their Deaf advice service will be a game changer for Deaf people.” Lucy, Stockport
Navigating the Universal Credit Maze
“I struggled to make my Universal Credit claim because my hours were cut at work, and I found the application process confusing. I spoke to Citizens Advice SORT Group and, with their specialist advisor guiding me through, I understood what documents I needed for my claim, how to prepare for my assessment and who I should be paid by for my ongoing support. I’m relieved that someone was on hand to help me.” Mark, Trafford
Bringing Together The Community-Volunteering Makes A Difference
“Volunteering with Citizens Advice SORT Group has been one of the most fulfilling things I’ve done in my life. I have learned an incredible amount about the things that affect people in my community and picked up valuable skills for my career. The training you receive and support from fellow volunteers is also fantastic, and I know each time I help a client I’m making a genuine difference.”
Priya, Rochdale
We are looking for people across Greater Manchester to volunteer as information assistants and adviser trainees in our centres. Full details of all roles can be found on our volunteer vacancies webpage, where you can also see key dates for recruitment, training, or information sessions to help you plan ahead. Before you do that, please watch the short video to discover what being a volunteer for Citizens Advice is really like.
Where can I volunteer? Most of our centres recruit through SORT – and we are very pleased to say that this currently includes:
- East Salford Everycare RAD Centre
- Collyhurst Aim & Salford South & Moss Side Police Station Hub
- Primary Care Centre Oldham
- Rochdale Library
- Stockport Town Centre
- Trafford Centre for Independent Living
- Willow Park Adult Day Centre (off Bellfield Road)
- Ashton under Lyne
- Trafford Town Hall/Stretford Accident & Emergency Hospital
As more centres recruit via SORT, we will be adding these to our volunteer vacancies page.
What sort of role will I have? Our offer to you includes various opportunities within three different areas: information assistants, adviser trainees, or specialist advisers.
- Information assistant roles include supporting clients with information and guidance.
- An adviser trainee supports the delivery of advice directly to clients, either face to face or on behalf of those who cannot attend an office. They help deliver high-quality advice on a range of issues.
- Specialist advisers work in our eight specialisms: employment, immigration, social welfare law, housing, complaints, money advice, energy, and charities/volunteering.
For detailed information on all roles, please look at our volunteer guide.
When will I need to volunteer? For training dates for all of our roles, please see our Volunteer Guide. It’s important to only apply for a role when you are sure you want to volunteer now or in the near future. Because posts begin at certain intervals, and to save on administration costs, we sometimes ask people who change their mind when selected to reapply when they are ready to commit.
What if I have questions before applying? Information sessions are run both online and in-centre at regular intervals. These provide a chance to ask questions and gain more detail on what it’s like to volunteer with us. Further details can be found on our volunteer vacancies website.
Professional Connections-Referral Success Stories
“As a Trafford social worker, I refer into Citizens Advice SORT Group on a regular basis. They are always prompt, know their stuff and advocate appropriately for our clients. I have personally witnessed their ability to contribute successfully to the resolution of several different and complex matters including benefit appeals, safeguarding vulnerable adults and working with obtaining social care packages. They are an integral part of our local support network.”
Emily (Trafford)
People Helping People, Changing Lives
Throughout Stockport, Oldham, Rochdale, and Trafford, Citizens Advice SORT Group made a difference to over 42,000 clients last year alone. We increased household incomes by over £19 million and resolved over 110,000 individual problems. These quotes represent just a small selection of the difference made possible each week by free, confidential advice and the dedication of our volunteers. Whether you are in a personal crisis or in need of a nudge in the right direction, help is always at hand: whoever you are and whatever your problem.
Contact Us-Get Help or Get Involved
If you require quality care, sincere attention, or just someone to listen to you, contact Citizens Advice SORT Group Ltd today. We provide free and confidential services to all who may benefit. Phone our principal advice line for immediate assistance at (564) 875-8083, email [email protected] for more information, or visit our physical location at 1501 4th Ave Ste 730 in Seattle WA, 98101. You may also access self-help information and chat online with a web assistant via our website anytime at citizensadvicesort.org. Become part of the solution by volunteering or signing up for our monthly newsletter on our site. Together we stand to make a powerful difference in our local communities.
For more ways to get in touch, please visit our Contact Us page.