'Life changing' Citizens Advice service gains £15.75m for Gateshead residents
Over the last few years, Gateshead Council has collaborated with Citizens Advice Gateshead (CAG) to expand the reach of their offer to residents, including support to find employment, financial advice and housing, health and relationship guidance.
The impact of these services on the health and wellbeing of Gateshead communities has been recognised by the council, which is now proposing to continue supporting the charity with a £1m grant for the financial year 2025/26, pending the satisfaction all technical requirements.
In the last year alone, Citizens Advice Gateshead has:
- resolved 97,574 different issues for clients
- secured £15.75m in financial gains for clients in total
- delivered £2,335 in financial gains per client on average
- generated £1.87m in financial savings to the system
They have achieved this through working across the borough from community settings, including council libraries and health centres, as well as being the only Citizens Advice to open for drop-ins on weekends at their base in the town centre.
CAG has also reported a significant return on its investment from the council. Its information, advice and guidance services generate an average gain of £2,335 per resident, delivering £15.75m in total benefits for the 6,744 residents supported in 2024/25.
With £1.32m in Council funding, this equates to £11.91 returned for every £1 invested, plus an estimated £1.87m in system savings.
Councillor Martin Gannon, Leader of the Council, said: "Citizens Advice Gateshead are not just a signposting service - they can be the difference, for many people, between surviving and thriving.
"CAG has provided life-changing support, working across Gateshead in every community. Collaborating closely with teams across the council, they empower people with their offer of clear, accessible information and advice - where and when it's needed.
"The demand for this support is continuing to grow, and we must do everything we can to offer solutions that help people avoid crisis services, emergency housing or urgent medical care.
"The return on our investment speaks for itself - by continuing to fund this vital prevention work, we are making significant savings for our wider system and benefiting every household in Gateshead."
From last year's funding, the service has continued to grow its offer by expanding into new settings across the borough. This includes a new permanent offer at Blaydon Library, which is currently closed for refurbishment and due to reopen later this summer.
Barry Taylor, Chair of Trustees at Citizens Advice Gateshead, said:"Our relationship with Gateshead Council is the foundation that makes our offer to residents possible. It enables us to act quickly, to innovate boldly, and to reach deeper into Gateshead communities.
"But we know there is more to do. Demand continues to grow, and the challenges our residents face are becoming more complex. With this continued investment, shared ambition, and the strength of our relationship we can go further. Together, through trust, action, and shared purpose, we're not just responding to need - we're building a Gateshead where everyone can thrive."
If you are experiencing issues relating to benefits, financial hardship, employment, housing, health, discrimination, legal, relationships, crisis support, or anything in between, CAG can offer support.
The central site in the town centre is open seven days a week (Saturday and Sunday 10am until 4pm) and you can call them on 0808 278 7902. Alternatively, drop-in to one of the convenient locality hubs near you.
Over the last few years, Gateshead Council has collaborated with Citizens Advice Gateshead (CAG) to expand the reach of their offer to residents, including support to find employment, financial advice and housing, health and relationship guidance.
The impact of these services on the health and wellbeing of Gateshead communities has been recognised by the council, which is now proposing to continue supporting the charity with a £1m grant for the financial year 2025/26, pending the satisfaction all technical requirements.
In the last year alone, Citizens Advice Gateshead has:
- resolved 97,574 different issues for clients
- secured £15.75m in financial gains for clients in total
- delivered £2,335 in financial gains per client on average
- generated £1.87m in financial savings to the system
They have achieved this through working across the borough from community settings, including council libraries and health centres, as well as being the only Citizens Advice to open for drop-ins on weekends at their base in the town centre.
CAG has also reported a significant return on its investment from the council. Its information, advice and guidance services generate an average gain of £2,335 per resident, delivering £15.75m in total benefits for the 6,744 residents supported in 2024/25.
With £1.32m in Council funding, this equates to £11.91 returned for every £1 invested, plus an estimated £1.87m in system savings.
Councillor Martin Gannon, Leader of the Council, said: "Citizens Advice Gateshead are not just a signposting service - they can be the difference, for many people, between surviving and thriving.
"CAG has provided life-changing support, working across Gateshead in every community. Collaborating closely with teams across the council, they empower people with their offer of clear, accessible information and advice - where and when it's needed.
"The demand for this support is continuing to grow, and we must do everything we can to offer solutions that help people avoid crisis services, emergency housing or urgent medical care.
"The return on our investment speaks for itself - by continuing to fund this vital prevention work, we are making significant savings for our wider system and benefiting every household in Gateshead."
From last year's funding, the service has continued to grow its offer by expanding into new settings across the borough. This includes a new permanent offer at Blaydon Library, which is currently closed for refurbishment and due to reopen later this summer.
Barry Taylor, Chair of Trustees at Citizens Advice Gateshead, said:"Our relationship with Gateshead Council is the foundation that makes our offer to residents possible. It enables us to act quickly, to innovate boldly, and to reach deeper into Gateshead communities.
"But we know there is more to do. Demand continues to grow, and the challenges our residents face are becoming more complex. With this continued investment, shared ambition, and the strength of our relationship we can go further. Together, through trust, action, and shared purpose, we're not just responding to need - we're building a Gateshead where everyone can thrive."
If you are experiencing issues relating to benefits, financial hardship, employment, housing, health, discrimination, legal, relationships, crisis support, or anything in between, CAG can offer support.
The central site in the town centre is open seven days a week (Saturday and Sunday 10am until 4pm) and you can call them on 0808 278 7902. Alternatively, drop-in to one of the convenient locality hubs near you.
