We are Citizens Advice
Supported by
As a charity Citizens Advice SORT Group is grateful to our many funders who support us to deliver the advice services that make such a difference to peoples lives.
Our thanks to
Oldham MBC, NHS, Shaw and Crompton PC, Positive Steps, Macmillan, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Rochdale MBC, Stockport MBC, Pure Innovations, Brinnington Big Local, Trafford MBC, Trafford Housing Trust, Trussel Trust, Legal Aid Services, Energy Redress Fund, The Big Life Company
We were founded in 1939. Since then, we’ve provided advice, information and support to anyone who needs it.
We help people online, over the phone and face to face through services across Stockport, Oldham, Rochdale and Trafford. Every year, tens of thousands of people turn to us. This gives us a unique insight into their needs and concerns.
We use this knowledge to campaign on big issues, both locally and nationally. So one way or another, we’re helping everyone – not just those we support directly.
3 things you should know about us
We’re local
We deliver services across Stockport, Oldham, Rochdale and Trafford in Greater Manchester and deliver some specialist legal services in other parts of the northwest. In 2020/21, we have answered over 45,000 calls supporting people with initial advice and information about their problem, and supported a further 18,000 individuals with tailored advice and in-depth casework on over 70,000 issues; universal credit, money & debt, benefits & tax credits, housing and employment to name a few.
We’re here for everyone
Our advice helps people solve problems and our advocacy helps fix problems in society. Whatever the problem, we won’t turn people away.
We’re listened to - and we make a difference
Our trusted brand and the quality of our research mean we make a real impact on behalf of the people who rely on us.
How the citizens advice network works
Citizens Advice SORT Group is the parent company of the Citizens Advice services in Stockport, Oldham, Rochdale and Trafford. We are a member of the Citizens Advice service nationally which is made up of a network of 270 local Citizens Advice organisations across England and Wales.
The group employs nearly 80 FTE staff and delivers a range of commissioned services covering generalist information, advice and guidance to specialist casework and legal services. Our staff are supported by a team of fantastic volunteers who are incredibly experienced and knowledgable
Citizens Advice nationally is a charity that includes nearly 1,000 national staff working in one of the 6 national offices, as homeworkers or as part of the Witness Service from over 240 courts across England and Wales along with a further 3,000 Witness Service volunteers
Local Citizens Advice are all independent charities, delivering services from over 600 local Citizens Advice outlets over 1,800 community centres, GPs’ surgeries and prisons.
The network does this with 6,500 local staff over 23,000 trained volunteers
Our reach means 99% of people in England and Wales can access a local Citizens Advice within a 30-minute drive of where they live.
The Citizens Advice YouTube channel has a range of short films to illustrate the impact we have on people’s lives. This 5 minute film gives examples of client experiences.