Volunteer celebrated for helping 7,000 people

A woman who has helped nearly 7,000 people with advice and support has been celebrated for dedicating years to a charity.

Laura Douglas began volunteering with Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire in Yate back in 2004. The charity offers free advice on issues such as benefits, money, housing, and consumer issues.

As the charity's longest serving volunteer, she recently received a Community Award from South Gloucestershire Council for her 22 years of hard work.

"I have always had a passion to help people," Douglas said, "So being a volunteer adviser at Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire is the most perfect and rewarding way to do so."

As a generalist adviser, Douglas is the first point of contact for most people when they seek help from the charity.

The charity said she volunteers for two sessions a week, 50 weeks a year, and, on average, she helps three people per session, adding up to more than 6,800 people in 22 years, equivalent to more than 2% of the population of South Gloucestershire.

Douglas said the charity "is a safe haven for people with concerns to be listened to, helped and advised in confidence".

"It is a delight to be recognised for my service with this community award. I am truly honoured," she added.

She was presented with her award by the chair of the council, Katie Cooper, at a recent awards evening.

Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire's CEO, Chantal Watts, described Douglas as "exemplary" and said they "are looking forward to many more years to come of Laura volunteering with us".

Watts added: "We are immensely grateful to Laura for her amazing work with us over the last 22 years."

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