Charity sees spike in debt problems

A FIFE charity says it is struggling to cope with demand after a 55% rise in people needing help with issues like debt in 2021.

Citizens Advice and Rights Fife offered support to 15,500 people across the kingdom between April and November, compared with 10,000 people the previous year.

The charity also offered 44,000 pieces of advice, despite volunteer hours dropping from 19,000 to just 5,500 as Covid-19 prevented faceto-face meetings.

Chief executive David Redpath predicts that 2022 will be similarly challenging as the pandemic continues to pose a variety of problems for both the charity and residents.

He said: “We’re definitely trying to see everyone and manage expectations.

“The average wait time to speak to someone over the phone is about 30 minutes right now.

“I want to apologise for that but it is the reality.

“We have six offices across Fife which have all been focused into one phone system.

“Seeing people faceto-face in the office is so much easier.

“We need people to be patient. We are doing our best with the resources we have.

“Debt is so real at the moment, but will be more so when people start collecting them again.

“We can give advice on anything, from financial and employment to health and relationships.”

Mr Redpath says the organisation is looking for more volunteers and anyone who is able to help out can get in touch.

It comes as the Citizens Advice team is operating below pre-pandemic levels.

He said: “It’s been constant all year, it always feels like we are going two steps forwards and one step back but the staff and volunteers have certainly made things easier.

“Our volunteers’ roles are so important, especially for face-toface services, and the team’s overall performance this year has been amazing.

“We usually meet our customers and clients face-to-face but we can’t do that any more.”