Coronavirus – How to contact us during the current crisis.

Citizens Advice Herefordshire is to carry on helping people by telephone with volunteers and staff working from home during the coronavirus lockdown.

A new system has been put in place at short notice after the drop-in and appointments service at the office in Hereford was suspended for the safety of clients and staff. Volunteers will now be offering advice over the telephone by texting the number listed below.

“Citizens Advice Herefordshire has needed to adapt to be able to continue to help people in these difficult times,” Sonya Gregory, Advice Services Manager for Worcester and Herefordshire Citizens Advice said. “We have tried to maintain a normal service as far as possible over recent weeks, however, the offices are now closed for the protection of our clients, volunteers and staff. We are following the Government guidelines to avoid travel and unessential visits to the workplace and have spent the past few days restructuring our service to ensure people can still contact us for help.”

Mrs Gregory apologised to anyone who had been unable to get in touch over the past week and thanked people for their patience while the new system was being set up.

“We realise there are many vulnerable people in our community who rely on us for advice and support. I have been completely amazed at how our volunteers and staff have pulled together to make it possible to keep the service running in these difficult times.

“Equipment and systems needed to be put in place at short notice and without time for much planning. Our fantastic volunteers and staff will now be manning the telephone lines from their homes and I would like to thank them for their unwavering commitment.”

The outreach services at Hinton Community Centre, Ross on Wye Library and Leominster, Corn Square (run by Citizens Advice Shropshire) have also been temporarily suspended.

Until the current restrictions and guidelines are changed Citizens Advice Herefordshire can be contacted by text or email:

Text on 0786 00 77 311 stating (i) your name (ii) your postcode (iii) the type of advice needed (for example DEBT, HOUSING or BENEFITS). We will then call you back on your mobile phone. Online at advice@citizensadviceherefordshire.org.uk for initial contact by email.

You can also get information and advice from the National Website