Moray Citizen's Advice Bureau celebrates 40th anniversary
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MORAY Citizen's Advice Bureau last week celebrated its 40th anniversary with cakes and drinks in Elgin.
The Bureau, which is a generalist service giving confidential advice on all topic areas, for example, benefits, housing and relationships, is mostly run by volunteers – although there are some full time stuff.
The majority of the 36 volunteers and 12 paid staff gathered at the premises on Moss Street and were praised by the bureau's manager, Mary Riley.
She said: "Without the volunteers and funding from Moray Council we wouldn't be able to run. We are thankful to them, they do an amazing job."
The bureau dealt with 2202 cases from April 2018 to April 2019, on a total of 5853 issues. Client financial gain from the service for £600,000.
Volunteers, who tend to work two days a week for a few hours, were also full of praise for the working environment, and the feeling helping clients gave them.
Belinda Woodrow, from Elgin, has been working with CAB for five years. She said: "It sounds corny but it's a good place to work as you feel you are making a difference.
"We are listening to people and they are leaving feeling better than they were when they arrived."
Volunteer Jill Moggach, originally from New Zealand but now residing in Elgin, added: "Just helping people who are experiencing a particularly difficult time in their life is rewarding and the job is extremely flexible.
"Every case is different and individual. The people in the office all bounce off each other. It's a great place to volunteer."
The Citizen's Advice Bureau in Elgin is open Monday to Friday, with full times available on their website at https://www.cas.org.uk/bureaux/moray-citizens-advice-bureau.
