New Leader for Citizens Advice Exeter

Staff, volunteers and trustees of Citizens Advice Exeter gathered to pay tribute to retiring chair Dennis Mardon, who has stepped down after leading the charity for the past 20 years.

Taking over the voluntary role of chair of trustees is Richard Willmott, who brings a wide range of public and private sector experience. Dennis will remain involved with the charity in the honorary role of president.

It comes as Citizens Advice Exeter continues to appeal for help to secure the future of its free, impartial advice services, which helps residents with a wide variety of issues, including debt, benefits, housing and employment.

Speaking after a thank you event at Exeter Community Centre, Dennis – who last year was awarded an MBE for services to vulnerable people in Exeter – said: “It’s been a privilege to lead a charity which plays such an important role in our community, helping people to find a way forward when the problems life throws up are causing them stress and anxiety.

“Over the past 20 years, the way people access our services has modernised but the need for them remains greater than ever. I shall miss working closely with the wonderful team here at Citizens Advice Exeter, but will continue to champion their work at every opportunity in my new role as honorary president.”

The farewell event was kindly sponsored by Everys Solicitors. Guests included Deputy Lord Mayor of Exeter, Councillor Paul Knott, and Deputy Lieutenant of Devon, Lord Ivar Mountbatten.

In 2023/24, Citizens Advice Exeter helped over 6,000 clients with 20,000 issues, including benefits, debt, housing and employment problems.

The charity boosted the local economy by £4 million through income gains for its clients, while the value of the time donated by its volunteers totalled over £600,000.

New chair, Richard Willmott, brings experience as an elected representative in the Channel Islands, where he was a member of Guernsey’s health and social services department board and chair of Alderney’s policy and finance committee. He has also chaired a charitable trust formed to raise funds and build a community and sports centre in Alderney.

Richard said: “Having known about Citizens Advice Exeter and the vital work of its amazing staff and volunteers for many years, I’m honoured to be elected chair of this fantastic local charity. My top priority is addressing the current funding challenges we face.

“We’re hugely grateful to everyone who has supported our current fundraising drive. It’s been a morale boost to see that people recognise the important role we play in our community.”

Citizens Advice Exeter has so far raised over £25,000 through a crowdfunding campaign, which has been extended until 31 December. Donations can be made online at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/advicetofindawayforward

More information about supporting Citizens Advice Exeter can also be found via the charity’s website.

£10 could provide an adviser with a phone line for a month for the charity’s core, generalist advice service

£100 could pay for an appointment with a trained adviser

£1,000 could train a new volunteer to be a qualified generalist adviser

The charity is also seeking support from the business community, in the form of donations, sponsorship or free or low-cost premises.

Anyone able to help is asked to contact Sue Julyan on sue.julyan@citizensadviceexeter.org.uk or 07498 129716.

More information can be found here: Impact report 2023-24

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/advicetofindawayforward

https://www.citizensadviceexeter.org.uk/support-us/