Ipswich Citizens Advice to celebrate landmark anniversary

The organisation opened their doors in Tower Street on July 1 1974 and during their first six months dealt with 3,100 issues.

They sent out 500 letters despite not having their telephone number added to the phonebook or advertising their presence.

In the early years some eccentric issues came up such as the address of the bishop and where to hire a beach hut.

Turn to 2024, Ipswich Citizens Advice have helped 10,000 clients with over 38,000 issues, including helping 1.4 million in debts be written off.

Operations Manager Margaret Vane. (Image: Citizens Advice Ipswich) Steve Cooney who has volunteered for Citizens Advice for 19 years described it as "a real window on everyday life" and difficult with "very limited resources".

Mr Cooney who has a full-time job with Eastern Angles said that issues such as food poverty and housing come up "week after week."

"One of the big issues is lots of people living in sub-standard accommodation". He added. 

The 50th anniversary will be marked at Ipswich Town Hall on Saturday 28 November. (Image: Citizens Advice Ipswich) Mr Cooney, a former East Anglian Daily Times and Evening Star reporter, said there is a "mismatch between benefits and people's needs" and it was very difficult to find accommodation for homeless people and those on benefits.

"How you sugar coat that pill to someone who has been evicted is really difficult." Mr Cooney added.

Chief Officer Nicky Willshere said: “It would be the icing on the cake if we could welcome former volunteers, staff and trustees to our party to look back over the past 50 years, as well as celebrate the fact that we are still going strong and helping so many people in the Ipswich area. " 

The charity is inviting those who have contributed to its work to attend their AGM on Saturday, November 28, from 2 to 4pm at Ipswich Town Hall.