CAB’s office hails year of success

Shetland’s Citizens Advice Bureau has celebrated helping to secure £1.7 million for clients.

On the eve of today’s AGM, local manager Karen Eunson said that in 2017-18 the charity had become more accessible by offering home visits to those who would otherwise be unable to attend their office for advice.

The local office helps with issues ranging from benefits and energy bills to debt and employment.

Ms Eunson warned the CAB workload is likely to grow still further due to the introduction of Universal Credit to Shetland next month.

Chairman Gordon Mitchell said the charity worked with clients on 7,200 issues in the 12 months to the end of March.

“This financial gain makes a huge difference to our clients”

“In 2017-18, we achieved a total client financial gain of almost £1.7m, up from £1m last year,” he said.

“This financial gain makes a huge difference to our clients, putting more pounds in their pockets and purses.

The local manager added: “This is especially important in Shetland where the cost of living is so much higher.”

Ms Eunson added: “We are seeing demand for our service grow, and the introduction of full service Universal Credit in Shetland in September 2018 is likely to increase this again.”

She paid tribute to the work of her team of paid staff and 17 trained volunteers, who in 2017-18 gave more than 10,000 hours of their time.

“I would like to take this opportunity to encourage more folk to consider volunteering with CAB, she added, saying that it could make a “real difference” to the lives of people in their local community. A party of German visitors made a big impression when they arrived on Skye.

Seven German aircraft touched down at Skye Aerodrome as part of a