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Winners of the first ever Citizens Advice Awards revealed

19 January 2010

National Charity Citizens Advice this evening (19th January) announced the six winners of the inaugural Citizens Advice Awards at a gala fundraising dinner at the Dorchester hotel, London.

Currently celebrating it’s 70th anniversary, the charity has introduced the annual awards to recognise other organisations and individuals who have contributed, in their own distinct way, to the Citizens Advice principle of fair treatment for all.

The winners in the five main categories were:

HM Revenue and Customs for Best public policy decision of the year

Wessex Water for Best customer service of the year

Tricia Phillips of the Daily Mirror for Media champion of the year

Stevenage Borough Council for Council partner of the year

Roy Fairhead from Ash CAB in Surrey for Citizens Advice Adviser of the year

Plus a special award for Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis who was voted CAB champion of the year.

David Harker, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice said:

“These awards duly honour the hard work, passion and tenacity of other organisations and individuals who share our values. Each worthy winner has been instrumental in bringing about change and making life fairer for people.”

Why they won

The Best public policy award is presented to the government department or public body (or a particular individual within it) who has been receptive to evidence of a problem and has responded swiftly and in a way that is commensurate with the issue.

• HM Revenue and Customs won for the decision not to issue unexpected tax demands to thousands of low income pensioners. Through their engagement with a coalition of charities, including Citizens Advice, HMRC demonstrated that as well as being open to arguments of a legal and financial nature, they were also mindful of the plight of the pensioners concerned. In using their discretion not to pursue the unpaid tax they displayed the fairness and common sense for which this award commends them.

The Best customer service award rewards the organisation (or a particular individual within it) that demonstrates genuine concern for customers’ welfare and proactively exceeds the minimum standards that govern their sector.

• The award went to Wessex Water for its innovative work in providing a range of schemes that prevent customers from being forced into poverty because of their inability to afford their water bills. Citizens Advice Bureaux across England and Wales say Wessex Water is the best water provider to work with as they are exceptionally engaged and committed to working with the advice sector to help their most vulnerable customers.

The Media champion award is given in recognition of a journalist’s efforts to champion welfare or consumer issues, raising awareness of the problems and educating readers or viewers about the solutions.

• The winner was Tricia Phillips of the Daily Mirror, a journalist who passionately ensures her 3.5 million readers are well informed about the money issues which affect them. Equally at home covering debt, employment and benefit issues, Tricia was presented with the award for her knack of describing in simple terms those benefits to which her readers may be entitled, and encouraging them to claim where the government may not proactively promote its financial assistance.

The Council partner of the year award honours the council that has the foresight to utilise the expertise of its local bureau in ensuring the appropriateness of services provided to residents. It applauds a council’s treatment of its local bureau as a significant partner – as well as its wider support for a vibrant and independent voluntary sector.

• Stevenage Borough Council won for its prompt and pragmatic response to the recession. The council established an Economy Task Force and invited Stevenage bureau to join as a key member. The Task Force ensures that services for those affected by the recession work effectively alongside one another and has already co-ordinated a number of initiatives, including a Redundancy Helpline.

The Adviser of the year award celebrates the CAB adviser who best embodies the services aims and principles; the adviser who puts clients at ease, is respectful and non judgemental, and who sets out practical options in a clear, understandable way.

• The winner, receiving 10 per cent of the public nominations, was Roy Fairhead from Ash CAB in Surrey. One of the nominations stated: “When I met Roy I was very vulnerable. I suffer with mental health issues and a lot of problems were making me very ill. He spoke to me very kindly and was very caring. He understood what I was going through. Roy saved me. He has given me a fresh start. I think if I didn’t meet Roy I would be in a psychiatric ward for a long time. He really deserves this award.”

CAB champion of the year. This award was presented as a special ‘thank you’ from Citizens Advice to the organisation or individual that has really championed the Citizens Advice service and the interests of its clients over the last year.

• The award went to vociferous champion of consumer and welfare rights Martin Lewis – the money saving expert. Using his omnipresent media profile, combined with a down-to-earth and direct style, he makes his money saving messages accessible to an unprecedented mix of the UK population.
  

David Harker said:

“Over the last year Martin has really championed the Citizens Advice service through actively promoting the bureau network and the charity’s campaigning work on his website, regularly recommending the charity as a source of advice on GMTV and other broadcast appearances, speaking at CAB conferences and, finally, appearing on Celebrity Who Wants to be a Millionaire in support of Citizens Advice, alongside Angela Rippon.

“They won £150,000 between them and as well as highlighting that Citizens Advice is, in fact, a charity, Martin also used the opportunity to help raise awareness of the varied work the organisation does.”

Notes to editors

1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more information in England and Wales see www.citizensadvice.org.uk
2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality. For online advice and information see www.adviceguide.org.uk
3. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.1 million clients on 7.1 million problems from April 2010 to March 2011. For full 2010/2011 service statistics see: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/press_statistics
4. Out of 22 national charities, the Citizens Advice service is ranked by the general public as being the most helpful, approachable, professional, informative, effective / cost effective, reputable and accountable. (nfpSynergy’s Brand Attributes survey, May 2010).
5. Most Citizens Advice service staff are trained volunteers, working at around 3,300 service outlets across England and Wales.

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