Every day people from across Elmbridge come to us for help.
You may have money, benefit, housing or employment problems, be facing a crisis, or just considering their options.
Whatever the issue, we can help you find a way forward.
Our Impact
Our trusted service gives advice and support to around 2,000 local Elmbridge residents and workers every year.
There’s often a financial value to people having their problems solved, but our advice can also improve people’s mental or physical health.
The work we do means we have a credible understanding of local needs and the underlying causes of people’s problems. Because of this we save society money…
Read more about the impact we made for our clients and the wider community in 2023/24 by downloading our latest Impact Report below.
2023/2024 Stats
2,133
people helped
£713,589
income gained for clients
8,908
issues handled
Our Team
The success of our service relies on our dedicated team of volunteers supported by a small number of paid staff.
In total, over 40 people volunteer with us, most of them as highly-trained volunteer advisers. We have calculated that the time they contribute is worth the equivalent of over £328,000 to the Borough of Elmbridge every year – that’s more than £6,300 of free expert advice each week.
“Our volunteers’ compassion and drive to help and achieve the best outcomes for our clients is humbling.”
– Elaine Bissell, Chief Executive Officer
Our Trustees
As an independent charity, Citizens Advice Esher & District is governed by a Board of local trustees who are responsible for leading our organisation and deciding how it is run.
Our trustees are volunteers who use their skills, knowledge and experience to work with the Chief Executive and other staff to shape strategy and give direction. This includes making sure that the charity is:
- Doing what it was set-up to do
- Complying with the law
- Securing funding to meet current and new demands
- Recognised and valued by local organisations, funders and people
Our current Board of Trustees bring a vast range of skills and experience to Citizens Advice Esher & District. They are:
- Steve Bax
- Minal Chauhan
- Gill Coates
- Oya Erci Barutcu
- Paul Hickson (Treasurer)
- Mark Reason (Chair)
- Frank Thaxton
- Sally Williams (Vice Chair)
- Ian Wood
Our History
The first Citizens Advice bureaux opened in 1939, the day after the Second World War was declared. From the start, volunteers ran the service working from public buildings and private houses. Advisers dealt with problems relating to the rationing, homelessness and evacuation.
Over the years, the Citizens Advice service has developed into a highly-trusted network of over 360 independent charities which support people across the UK with high quality advice on a whole range of issues.
Supporting east Elmbridge residents since 1973
A Citizens Advice service has existed in Esher since May 1973. Initially called the ‘Esher & Molesey Citizens Advice Bureau’, we were first located in Old Church Path, Esher. We have moved premises in the town several times since then, most recently into Elmbridge Civic Centre in April 2022. We changed our name to ‘Esher & District’ in 1995.
Over the years our information and case recording systems have changed from paper and books to online. At the same time, the problems people face have become more complex and time-consuming. We continue to adapt and develop our service to best meet the advice needs of our local community.
For our 50th anniversary, we have produced this comprehensive history of our charity.
Funders & Partners
We are very grateful to our funders and partners who enable us to provide our advice services to the communities of east Elmbridge.
